Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or if it was caused by his service-connected mental disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder.,Her bilateral hearing loss is denied, with the most recent VA audiological evaluation showing normal hearing in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a left hip disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU due to additional evidence being added to the file after a December 2023 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's obesity, which may be related to his service-connected disabilities, is also under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic myelogenous leukemia are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The right foot and hamstring disability issues require additional VA examinations to assess the severity of symptoms and determine if they are related to service-connected conditions or toxic exposure.,The Veteran's initial rating claims for his right foot and hamstring disabilities need further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for OSA due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an advisory medical opinion from a specialist to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its relationship to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms had their onset during active service and have continued since then. The decision is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive and central sleep apnea due to a lack of adequate medical opinion addressing in-service symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records, need for medical opinions regarding etiology, and reasonable possibility of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chondrosarcoma left chest, s/p removal/resection is denied as the evidence does not show three ribs removed.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset in service and persisted thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether in-service herbicide agent exposure is related. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease, are not considered as causes for his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD due to inadequate previous opinions. The Veteran's MDD is alleged to have affected his ability to use a CPAP mask, potentially worsening his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hip replacement residuals and lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy were granted effective November 18, 2010. The right hip was rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to December 6, 2015, and the left hip was rated at 50% beginning November 18, 2010. The lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy was also granted effective November 18, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, has been granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent.