Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current disability and an in-service disease or injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (spina bifida, also claimed as chronic, mechanical low back pain) because a supplemental claim was already pending before the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder, sleep apnea, penile condition, foot disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The claims of service connection for these conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her back and shoulder conditions, as well as a lack of sufficient information in the July 2022 VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is a causal link between the two conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 27, 2021.,Effective March 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine including migraine variants are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. This decision is based on the implementation of the PACT Act and a positive private medical opinion linking the condition to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities and/or obesity. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion that adheres to current criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for ingrown toenails and back pain are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) were not incurred or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional error in the initial decision regarding service connection for sleep apnea and requires additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's theories of secondary service connection based on his bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's OSA and pulmonary nodules were denied as they are not related to his active-duty service.,PTSD was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected TBI and associated conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and chest pain disorder due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service-connected sinusitis and/or headaches.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.