Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, cataracts, sleep apnea, umbilical hernia, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral ankles, chronic degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with bulging disc, and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees. The decision is based on evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his PTSD likely caused his obesity and thus aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and insomnia were granted, while the claim for GERD was denied. The effective date for the increased rating of heart palpitations with atrial flutter is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) based on the Veteran's credible statements and observations from his commanding officer and wife, who noted changes in his behavior and sleep patterns during and after his 2010 deployment. The Board found that these observations supported a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The remaining claims have been denied or are being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: back disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. Hypertension is currently under review.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for right hip disability, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and PTSD are all remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The appeals for reopening a service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, and for service connection for gout, bilateral feet; a separate bilateral foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis and flat foot; and urinary frequency are dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for left carpal tunnel syndrome and right hand ganglion cyst are also dismissed. The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea, chronic insomnia, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another medical opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, right knee disability, neck disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, and right upper extremity neurological disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinions provided are inadequate to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case is therefore being remanded for a new VA examination.

Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD and service-connected orthopedic disabilities with obesity.,From July 19, 2016, to February 4, 2018, a 40% evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. From February 5, 2018, forward, the same evaluation remains in effect.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of her back disability. The issues of rating PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, headaches secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The remand includes obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, specifically his obesity caused by pain medication prescribed for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's vascular disability, to include blocked carotid arteries and hypertension. The decision on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including pulmonary embolism with small cell lung cancer and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means that no final decision can be made on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip, ankle, knee disabilities, and sleep apnea due to incomplete medical opinions regarding obesity, PTSD, and the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, tingling in hands, and low back condition. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service or a pre-existing low back disability.,There is no evidence of tingling in the hands during service or within one year after separation. Service connection on a presumptive basis for early-onset peripheral neuropathy was also denied.