Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is granted, with a 10% evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including a failure to consider obesity as an intermediary and the need for a new examination regarding potential toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is due to his service-connected PTSD, which caused weight gain and obesity. As a result, the Board granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis and septoplasty, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for a presumptive condition under the Persian Gulf War Veterans' provisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, a 50 percent disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea, or an effective date earlier than March 24, 2020, for the grant of service connection for traumatic deviated septum and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 8, 2018 was denied. The Board found that he is not entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to Gulf War syndrome and a lack of medical literature connecting it to particulate matter air pollution exposure. A TERA examination is required as the PACT Act applies.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant impairment in his ability to work and maintain social relationships. The effective date for all benefits is set at July 25, 2019.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, including due to obesity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been rated higher than the current 0 percent evaluation due to the lack of evidence showing that his hearing impairment more nearly approximates a compensable level.,The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for the opinion regarding lumbosacral strain, and an addendum is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for left knee and hip disabilities are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty.