Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and the case is being remanded to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder are being remanded due to the need for new medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, previously claimed as premature ventricular contractions/irregular heartbeat, was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis aggravated his claimed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hypertension, a colon condition to include gastritis, ulcers, and intestinal metaplasia, GERD, right hip condition, left hip condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and sleep apnea syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shin splints, left leg disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disability, abnormal heart / stress disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and shoulder disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claims based on his service records.

The Veteran's right hand disability and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted service connection, while sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and scarring status post inguinal hernia surgery do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety), headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bad teeth are all granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issue of secondary service connection for scars status post heart surgery as related to ischemic heart disease is remanded due to a lack of medical examination. The issue of direct service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD and DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as OSA. The VA will obtain any outstanding VA treatment records from Montgomery VAMC beginning January 1, 2011, and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to address the etiology of his thoracolumbar spine disorders and OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder aggravates his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to both his in-service toxic exposures and his service-connected PTSD, resulting in a grant of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back pain) is remanded due to incomplete examination findings and the need for additional testing.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.,The Veteran's hand or finger disability was not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and service connection due to credibility issues with the Veteran's statements. Additional development is required, including a new examination to address the nature and severity of lumbosacral spine disability and peripheral neuropathy in each extremity, as well as toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for his neck condition was dismissed as he withdrew the issue prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for lower back injury residuals, with a grant of service connection in this case.,The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive mood, depression, anxiety) are remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and GERD are granted as secondary to service-connected MDD.,Service connection for a bone condition and thyroid nodules is denied.