Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the evidence is in an approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was incurred or aggravated during his service. Service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in an approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was incurred or aggravated during his service. Service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and supraventricular arrhythmia (claimed as a heart condition) are denied. The effective date remains August 4, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues of service connection are being addressed, with a focus on obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained prior to the April 2021 rating decision were inadequate, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension, but remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of diagnoses during service.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because he requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and sleep apnea, finding that new evidence submitted since the January 2020 denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected other specified bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his primary disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension (pursuant to the PACT Act), emphysema with endobronchial valve in left lung, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, a left shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral disability (lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease), and a left knee condition are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for emphysema with endobronchial valve in left lung, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, a left shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral disability (lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease), and a left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI and headaches has been denied. The claims for service connection for dysautonomia and sleep apnea have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,Service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions as there is no credible evidence of their occurrence during active service or otherwise related to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain/intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back condition) due to untimeliness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as it did not meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection. The current diagnosis of sleep apnea was found to be unrelated to service, and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to toxic substances during his Southwest Asia deployment, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, migraines, and lumbosacral strain. The VA is required to obtain a medical opinion regarding these conditions based on their potential relation to service.

The Veteran's OSA was diagnosed shortly after service and the Board found a nexus between his in-service symptoms and current condition, granting service connection.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is proximately due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, and OSA, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 17, 2015. His TDIU claim is granted. The rating for his posttraumatic headaches remains at 50 percent as it meets the criteria for a very frequent prostrating attack productive of severe economic adaptability.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues of service connection for various conditions have not been decided.