Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee meniscal tear, and left knee condition due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Board finds that the current evidence does not establish a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found insufficient evidence of toxic exposure from burn pits or other environmental factors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as it began during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches due to service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and CAD. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 10 percent from May 1, 2010, to February 11, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate symptoms warranting a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The appeals are not about service connection, but rather the severity of his existing conditions.

The Veteran's back disability (DJD of the thoracic and lumbar spine) and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The back condition is presumed to be due to continuous symptoms since service, while the sleep apnea was first manifested during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient opinions in the prior VA examinations. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and prostate cancer for further development to obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, lumbosacral strain (back injury), sleep apnea, tendonitis of the left ankle, and tendonitis of the right ankle. The claim for flat feet was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his TERA participation in Southwest Asia. Additional records are needed, including updated VA treatment records and an addendum from the August 2023 VA TERA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had its onset during active service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed due to the failure to timely file a VA Form 10182, which is required by law.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for nerve damage/right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the timeliness of a June 9, 2023 VA Form 10182 for the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability during the periods on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, OSA, and right shoulder disorder due to issues with notification of VA examinations and lack of current diagnoses or etiology.