Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for IBS as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and for OSA on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed because the August 2024 VA Form 10182 is invalid as it is already on appeal via a previous October 2023 rating decision. The other issues (stoke and hypertension) are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergies, back pain, GERD, and sleep apnea are granted. Service connection is established for allergic rhinitis on a direct basis. Claims for back pain, GERD, and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted, but the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between his in-service symptoms and the current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The new evidence received since the April 2020 rating decision does not support a grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his OSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and because of the need for a TERA-specific examination and medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood and lumbosacral back sprain with IVDS of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for GERD was dismissed because he withdrew his Notice of Disagreement.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder condition was dismissed because he withdrew his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities, right elbow disability, and right knee disability are found to have caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn resulted in his obstructive sleep apnea. As such, the Board grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence showing a relationship between his OSA and his military service, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being considered as a direct service connection claim, while her migraine headaches are being reconsidered given the presumption of soundness upon entry into service.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to support the previously denied claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right shoulder condition, bilateral open angle glaucoma with cataract (claimed as bilateral eye condition), and bilateral leg varicose veins. As such, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (psychiatric disability). The hypertension claim is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia. Service connection is granted for bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and right knee disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.