Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relation to his service-connected conditions, as well as exposure to fumes and chemicals during his military service.

The Board has granted readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for OSA and has also granted entitlement to service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediary step. The evidence supports that the Veteran's PTSD, orthopedic conditions, and obesity have caused his OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in determining his qualifying service periods and a lack of VA examination regarding his lower back symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a lower back condition, and right side sciatica (claimed as secondary to the claimed lower back condition) are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining medical opinions and verifying STRs.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his obesity, which was caused by his service connected hyperthyroidism. The Board has granted the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active duty and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 29, 2011 for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issues of entitlement to increased initial rating for OSA and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition as aggravated by his service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service, and the Board denied both direct service connection and secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for OSA and a skin disability, as well as the claim for service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits is not considered new evidence, but his assertion of aggravation by PTSD is.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is remanded, and his claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and for an examination regarding potential toxic exposure during service that may have caused or aggravated the Veteran's OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including her left ankle sprain and sleep apnea, have significantly impacted her ability to perform daily activities. The Board has determined that she requires regular aid and attendance due to these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination obtained prior to the decision on appeal is inadequate for consideration of the Veteran's claim, and therefore, remands the case for a new examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and paraspinal muscle strain, cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip conditions, bilateral pes planus, and a back strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions that his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including prostate condition, hypertension, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The AOJ is required to obtain VA treatment records prior to October 25, 2008, Reserve service treatment and personnel records, and an additional VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate condition.