Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further review and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied the Appellant's request for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision that granted an increased evaluation for CAD and service connection for OSA.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence demonstrating it is directly related to service. The Veteran seeks secondary service connection based on his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has identified errors in the prior decision and has ordered remand for further investigation into the Veteran's claimed service exposure to herbicide agents, particularly during his TDY assignments in Vietnam. The issues of diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, aortic and vein disability, left lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and vertigo are all remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Meniere's disease, dizziness, sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, and depression due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not service connected for any disability that could serve as a basis for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to in-service IED attacks, with the current conditions being at least as likely as not caused by these events.,Both the low back and right knee disabilities were found to be directly related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that an addendum opinion is necessary to address whether his current diagnosis of sleep apnea had its onset in or is otherwise related to his military service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected insomnia.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis, PTSD, and OSA have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a 70 percent rating for his PTSD and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claims are related to service connection for OSA, which is secondary to PTSD with TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and OSA as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's migraine disability had its onset during his active-duty service, while the OSA is at least as likely as not caused by his circadian rhythm disorder now characterized as PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis with asthma, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for gout and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.,For lumbosacral strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, fatty liver disease (claimed as hepatitis C), and bilateral hearing loss, service connection is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it began during active service and is related to in-service symptoms.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right leg syndrome (shin splints), back strain (lumbosacral strain), bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, all of which are deemed to have onset during the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or event that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L3-L5 and S1 are now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. Service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, CAD, PTSD, sleep apnea, and headaches are all granted.