Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain an adequate etiological opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, including during TERA deployments. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the evaluations and service connection decisions related to hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and impotence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating.,Service connection for migraines is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a thorough readjudication of his claim, including an analysis of the propriety of the initial evaluation assigned from January 1, 1989, to March 1, 2002, and consideration of different manifestations of the service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain (back disability) and right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a service-connected back disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements regarding his in-service injury and subsequent pain.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various conditions and requires additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for obstructive sleep apnea and bipolar disorder, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death and ischemic heart disease are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran served at U-Tapao Airfield, where he had close contact with aircraft.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 2018.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology, considering obesity and service-connected disabilities and medications.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, eye disability, hernia disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and skin cancer due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions during his period of active duty. The claims are being remanded to obtain information about the Veteran's periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's PTSD caused his obesity and in turn led to his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for paresthesia of the left cheek, upper left extremity, sleep apnea, and vertigo as these conditions are linked to mefloquine medication used during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints have been granted service connection. The issues of sleep apnea, gastroenteritis and respiratory conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to various pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and examinations.