Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD prior to September 16, 2022 is granted. The Board finds that the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and a link between the condition and in-service stressors. Other claims are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, IBS, and headaches as secondary to PTSD with TBI due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine condition, and cervical spine condition are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection is March 27, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection on all issues, including chronic pain and range of motion of left-hand ring finger, left lower extremity shin stress fracture, right lower extremity shin stress fracture, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are at least as likely as not causing his obstructive sleep apnea, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus. As a result, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no relationship to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not result from or be aggravated by his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has also remanded for further examinations and opinions regarding the other claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least in equipoise with his service and credible reports of symptoms during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased rating of lumbosacral strain and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs to be evaluated by a VA examiner to assess his current condition, including potential additional diagnoses such as degenerative disc disease. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and has ordered remand for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed OSA and Right Knee Disorder, as well as whether a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, specifically the Trazodone prescribed for PTSD. The Board finds a need for an addendum medical opinion to address this relationship.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot disorder, left foot disorder, LUE CTS, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, and OSA. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for lumbosacral strain with disc bulges, neural foraminal narrowing, joint hypertrophy, and intervertebral disc degeneration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to her military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of an adequate rationale for the denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with the provision of a new VA opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for insomnia and sleep apnea secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there is no medical evidence establishing a causal relationship between the conditions and PTSD.