Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for urinary frequency and incontinence, finding the evidence approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during her active duty. The Board also granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, finding the evidence approximately evenly balanced as to whether the condition was caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service, despite his exposure to burn pits. The right and left upper extremity numbness are being remanded as there were deficiencies in the VA examination provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of September 15, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for service connection were met prior to the date of the original claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified anxiety disorder with traumatic brain injury, considering that obesity caused by his psychiatric disability was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as evidence is not sufficient to establish a link.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his obesity, which was caused by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease. As such, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's complete military personnel records and inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA, which was diagnosed during a period of active duty for training (ADT).

The Board has determined that the May 2019 VA medical examination is inadequate and did not provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The Board finds a remand necessary to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including consideration of any service-connected disabilities or toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, and this condition has been service-connected since September 24, 2019. The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits as he does not have an employment handicap.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to service, service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia, and obesity.

The Veteran's migraines and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 5, 2021.,Hypertension has been granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea and heart disorders (including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure) are also service-connected.,Migraines have been granted as service-connected.,The Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have started during his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the December 2006 rating decision never became final, and entitlement to an effective date of March 2, 2005, was established.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosis to service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that the positive evidence of record consists solely of the Veteran's lay belief in a causal link between service and his subsequent development of diabetes mellitus, which was not supported by medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 5276.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his claim should have been granted prior to March 1, 2021.