Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are granted. The left knee condition, right knee condition, and chronic headache disability are denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spondyloarthritis, also claimed as a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or post-service treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied due to lack of in-service onset and no link to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied because it did not manifest during or within one year after leaving service.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including considering his service-connected disabilities and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for bilateral plantar fascitis remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Diabetes Mellitus, Type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to secondary service connection. The AOJ will obtain an examination and determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues of bilateral pes planus, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, and skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae).

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, diabetes and hypertension. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was not manifested by or more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to April 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, several conditions were found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's OSA is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His bilateral hearing loss is also not service-connected, with no evidence of symptoms prior to the April 2018 private examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to in-service exposure, specifically toxic exposures during his time in Iraq. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional evidence and VA will confirm any in-service exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous instructions. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypopituitarism, hypogonadism and gynecomastia status post pituitary adenoma removal, and hypothyroidism have all been granted. The effective date is July 24, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his sleep apnea is not related to service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder, including chronic snoring. The VA examinations conducted were inadequate to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence developed since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case, including a VA examination related to the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will be reconsidered in light of this additional information.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's representative requested a videoconference hearing, but withdrew it in October 2021. A claim for TDIU has been raised as part of the increased rating claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis.