Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's low back disability is related to service, but his sleep apnea is not. Further development is needed under the PACT Act due to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which involved multiple issues including service connection and a rating for an adjustment disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), renal cell carcinoma of the left and right kidneys, and atrial fibrillation due to a lack of probative nexus opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of anemia, degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and heart murmur have been withdrawn. The appeal as to these issues is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, sinus disability (variously diagnosed as sinusitis and rhinitis), nasoseptal deformity, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, warranting readjudication of the case. The Veteran's claim is now remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the VA examination provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, and specifically requests a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the secondary claim of mood disorder as secondary to the service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for neck disorder, back disorder, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle condition, bilateral carotid artery disease, COPD, and tinnitus.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event that supports the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and vertigo due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20% prior to August 27, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's dementia, OSA, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was diagnosed with these conditions after service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2018 due to service-connected PTSD.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from October 12, 2018.,Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound status is denied as of February 22, 2023.

The Board has denied service connection for a hernia and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for secondary service connection of GERD is being remanded.,There are no indications that the Veteran's hernia or sleep apnea were incurred during his active duty, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to military service and Gulf War environmental hazards.