Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claims are based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to toxins.

The Board has remanded the claim for a lumbosacral or cervical strain disorder due to insufficient evidence and the need for an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for eczema and high blood pressure, both secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder, have been denied. The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The claim for a neck condition remains unresolved as it has not yet been determined if there is a current diagnosis or its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, while his tinnitus claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA due to obesity as an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and his current disability. The opinion of a VA examiner found that the Veteran's OSA is less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, but another private doctor provided evidence supporting the Veteran's claim.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the claim for service connection for lumbosacral and thoracic spine strain with arthritis, stenosis, and scoliosis. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused or aggravated by obesity, which resulted from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and/or sleep apnea. The Board has granted the claim for service connection of ED as secondary to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea as additional development is necessary due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was not found to warrant a higher rating prior to December 8, 2020. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and memory loss due to additional development being necessary.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected low back disability, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma and subsequent sleep apnea is denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as he does not require personal assistance from others and is not substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be etiologically related to his conceded in-service herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for hypertension, but remanded the issues of service connection for OSA and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.