Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's OSA is remanded for additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of his condition, including whether it was related to service or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability or TMJ.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder. The decision also acknowledges that the sleep apnea may be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided that the VA did not provide a sufficient rationale for denying service connection for sleep apnea, and thus remands the case to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is dismissed as the March 2022 rating decision did not become final due to continuous pursuit of the claim. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions considering Gulf War exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA sleep disabilities examination, which is necessary to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to active service and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the relationship between his OSA and active service, presumed toxic exposure (burn pit), and any aggravation by his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a final decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was dismissed. His claim for service connection for OSA was dismissed as the June 2023 decision effectively granted his appeal in full. The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, but granted a 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, with obesity acting as an intermediate step.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence shows that the Veteran's sleep disturbances began shortly after his discharge from active duty, and a private medical opinion supports the conclusion that his sleep apnea is related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was found to have started during active service and has persisted, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and unspecified anxiety disorder have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for each condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and a duty to assist error. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed for service connection, with consideration of whether it is related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and the pre-existing condition of scoliosis. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip disorder, left foot disorder, left wrist disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder.