Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was withdrawn prior to the promulgation of a decision. Service connection for chronic idiopathic urticaria, presumed related to Gulf War service, is granted. The claims for service connection for chronic stye and left hip bursitis are remanded due to lack of current medical evidence. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied referral for extraschedular TDIU prior to July 14, 2012 due to insufficient evidence showing the Veteran was unemployable because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability and/or asthma, as well as its onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the case requires further examination and opinion to properly adjudicate the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, including considering potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The issues include determining if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus caused or aggravated his obesity, leading to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The Board will not make a determination on the merits of these claims until further review.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, as well as a foot disability. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, OSA, and PTSD were all denied as they are not related to his military service.,VA examinations found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his time in active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for sleep apnea, which is related to service and training.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with thoracic spine strain, right hip strain, and left hip strain are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn may have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence showing a current disability began in service or is related to service. The Board noted that while the Veteran reported snoring and breathing problems during service, these were not documented as symptoms of sleep apnea until after he left active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a VA examination for sleep apnea, which is necessary to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional examinations. Separate ratings are requested based on distinct disabilities.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the AOJ's decision regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of removal of a hemangioma from the left side of the nose. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,An earlier effective date of May 10, 2018, for service connection for depressive disorder is granted based on the receipt of an informal claim prior to the March 24, 2015 amendments.