Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and right knee strain with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen the claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, a respiratory condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, migraine headaches, and PTSD with MDD and AUD resulted in sleep disturbances which, combined with his obesity from PTSD, caused physiological changes resulting in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As a result, service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's right radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The initial PTSD rating remains denied, and the cases for lumbosacral strain, GERD, type II diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disability are remanded.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral restless leg syndrome, as well as effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective dates have been resolved. Service connection has been granted for PTSD, asthma, a skin condition and rashes, OSA, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus, right hand disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, Bell's Palsy, and disability resulting in tunnel vision. Effective dates of August 22, 1997 have been assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology and failure to obtain all relevant service treatment records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's pulmonary disorder (asthma and pulmonary diffusion defect) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, which is secondary to tinnitus and/or PTSD, has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claim as the appellant requested withdrawal.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional error in the May 2022 VA examination, as it did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her service-connected left orbital fracture and TBI. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities had onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a medical examiner that addresses these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he asserts are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active military service. Service connection was denied for secondary service connection as PTSD does not cause or aggravate OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have improved to a level that warrants a 50 percent rating from March 11, 2023 to November 9, 2023. Prior to this period, the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical spine strain, right knee strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain as the evidence does not support a relationship to service or within one year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea (OSA), finding that the Veteran's condition was incurred in service and is continuous since then.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the adequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD. The Veteran contends his OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD and exposure to burn pits during deployment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to evaluate the nature and likely etiology of his claimed condition, given his service treatment records showing trouble sleeping.