Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to resolve the claim of service connection for OSA, and therefore remands it for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and resulting obesity. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the Veteran's sleep apnea to his PTSD, which in turn is linked to his obesity.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and urgency are found to be related to his service-connected lumbar DDD, IVDS, and spinal stenosis. Service connection is granted for right and left foot conditions and hypertension on a secondary basis. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking her current diagnosis to her active-duty service.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea, but the issue of service connection for a right ankle disorder is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, iliopsoas tendinitis of the right hip, irritable bowel syndrome, left ankle condition, left flatfoot, left knee condition, right ankle condition, right flatfoot, right knee, sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination regarding the etiology and onset of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for tinnitus remains denied, and the left elbow contusion is rated as noncompensable. Right wrist sprain also remains denied. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee tendonitis, and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evaluation of the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, including unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's skin disability and back disability were restored to their previous ratings of 30% and 20%, respectively, effective September 3, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Service connection for a cervical spine disability with TBI residuals was also denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis (sinus condition), and asthma, all presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left foot strain and pain, left knee strain, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's obesity is not addressed in the opinion.

The Veteran's benign paroxysmal positional vertigo associated with obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the initial award of service connection on June 5, 2017. Other issues remain pending for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service and denied his claim. The case was remanded for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because she does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability, as her right hip disability alone does not qualify. The Board found that multiple of her service-connected disabilities contribute to her difficulty in maintaining substantially gainful employment.