Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure is granted.,Service connection for hypertension (claimed as hypertension with high cholesterol) is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for a disability manifested by tremors, to include Parkinson's disease, is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus. A 30 percent rating, and no higher, for left foot disability from March 15, 2022 forward, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and neuropathy of the legs are being remanded due to a lack of VA examination or opinion regarding their etiology. The Board requests additional medical opinions on these issues, including whether they are related to service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine is granted. The claims for low back disability, left shin disability, right shin disability, and initial ratings for left ankle strain and left knee strain are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have been recurrent since then.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records for some conditions and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions, considering potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions are insufficient to decide the case and have directed new opinions from an appropriate clinician other than Drs. S.K. and M.P.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to lack of pursuit.,Service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to military service.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition, but the appeal remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture with deviated septum. The decision found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not present in service and is not causally related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's migraines are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's Meniere's disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not etiologically related to her active service or secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, neck impairment, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction has been granted.,Service connection for back impairment, left knee impairment, right knee impairment, and psychiatric impairment has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is not related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a sleep disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and a disability manifested by thickened saliva have also been granted.

The Veteran's GERD, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, back disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, effective date determinations, and other claims due to procedural defects in the initial rating decision.