Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service records and the need to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability benefits records and private treatment records. The effective date claim remains pending.

The Board has ordered a VA examination for the Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for sleep apnea is related to a heart condition but no new evidence supports this relationship.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and if it was caused by any toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, thoracolumbar spine sprain with degenerative changes, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The issues include OSA, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for scoliosis and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease and entitlement to a rating of total disability due to individual unemployability based upon service-connected disorders prior to August 2, 2010. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering potential exposure to toxic substances and addressing the relationship between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and rating claims. The Board has determined that further examination and/or medical opinions are needed to address these matters.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his obstructive sleep apnea. The case must be returned for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for mitral valve prolapse, but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding its pre-service status and aggravation by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but has remanded it due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with major depressive-like episodes is found to be the cause of her obstructive sleep apnea. The right knee condition remains under review for a rating increase.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted service connection, but there is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and secondary service connection for obesity and neck condition. The VA is required to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his conceded exposure to trichloroethane under the PACT Act, and to provide adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's back brace, bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in 2014. The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the use of a right knee brace, left knee brace, and back brace.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.