Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 1, 2012, based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC due to housebound status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cataracts, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, multiple muscle and joint disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea are granted due to exposure to burn pits during his Southwest Asia service in the Gulf War.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to their service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 20 percent from March 30, 2017 to June 15, 2022. The Board granted a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal for this rating period. TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disability precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and GERD secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there is at least equipoise of evidence in favor of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, migraine headache disorder secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and hemorrhoids secondary to IBS. The issues are all related to secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, as well as whether obesity is an intermediate step in causing or aggravating the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether any current sleep symptom is a symptom of disability other than obstructive sleep apnea, and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and a gastrointestinal disability are also being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches and sleep apnea due to incomplete opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran may be entitled to service connection based on ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, but this needs to be confirmed by the RO.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a back disability and sleep apnea, including as due to PTSD. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes, and requests additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection, and he is awarded a TDIU for the period beginning on February 14, 2020.

The Veteran's skin condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep disorder are all granted service connection. However, the claims for sleep apnea and insomnia due to an undiagnosed illness need further review as the periods of Minnesota Army Reserve National Guard service have not been verified.

The Veteran's sinus disability, including rhinitis and allergic rhinitis, is granted due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, left sided weakness, left wrist rigidity, and spastic gait is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory condition (central sleep apnea with nocturnal hypoxemia) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for limited memory loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including OSA, sarcoidosis, back disability, radiculopathy, and hip disabilities are granted. However, some issues remain remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.