Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, finding that the allergic rhinitis aggravates the OSA.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues of higher disability ratings for various conditions and service connection for other conditions are not addressed as the appeal is no longer pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the previous VA medical opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim is now being sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as it lacks sufficient medical evidence to make a fully informed decision.

The Board has granted service connection for mixed sleep apnea, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a recurrent esophageal disability to include GERD.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD and rhinitis, due to insufficient evidence of causation or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA may be related to his service-connected ethmoid sinusitis and/or right ankle sprain with instability, but further medical opinions are needed to establish this relationship.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal or request an extension of time within one year of the December 2015 rating decision.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors related to the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of cervical spine strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep-related breathing disorder, to include UARS and OSA, as an adequate medical opinion is needed.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and verify Southwest Asia service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and total right knee replacement due to new evidence. However, the claims are remanded as the RO did not adjudicate the merits of the Veteran's theories of entitlement regarding asbestos exposure and wear and tear from military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to Capsaicin cream used to treat his service-connected lumbosacral strain and/or bilateral pes planus pain in calendar year 2019, as the prescribed medication was determined not to cause permanent damage to clothing.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain a medical opinion addressing both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted, but the evidence submitted does not meet the criteria to establish new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of the cause of death to obtain a VA examination opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and heart disorder in relation to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board denied an increased rating for left ear hearing loss during the period from June 21, 2022, to August 4, 2022, and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress.