Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder surgery and sleep apnea, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his pre-existing conditions that allegedly worsened during service.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to additional relevant evidence being submitted after certification of the appeal to the Board.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there is evidence suggesting a secondary relationship to his GERD, which is already service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lateral epicondylitis and olecranon bursitis of the elbow is also remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome, as his representative withdrew these claims. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the condition began during service and has been continuous to the present.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of lumbosacral arthritis with strain is granted. Claims for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus, service connection for skin disability (PFB), ankle disability, and TDIU are also granted.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, bilateral dry eyes with an allergic component, and obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has determined that new VA opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities and if those disabilities cause or aggravate his sleep apnea. The claims folder must be forwarded to an examiner for addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and recurrent sleep disability to include obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, as they are related to service in the Gulf War theater of operations.

The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, and left ankle sprain residuals are dismissed. The appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TBI with associated headaches and sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis (limitation of extension), and right knee tendonitis (limitation of flexion) are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a separate compensable rating for residuals of TBI apart from PTSD, as the claim for OSA has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back pain.,All conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and service connection for a bladder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, skin disorder, bowel disorder, cardiovascular disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are remanded due to a lack of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to obesity from his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the right knee disability, left eye disability, back disability, TDIU claim, and left knee disability remain denied.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for hypertension service connection and granted a 10% rating for hypertension. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.