Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate, and an addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and foot disorder claims have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria. The back disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service complaints, toxic exposures, or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected right ankle posttraumatic arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the back, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome is related to active duty service.,The evidence of record persuasively demonstrates that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, so the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for colon cancer. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection was not established for a psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure due to lack of evidence of such conditions during the pendency of the claim. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current disabilities and service.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for duodenitis with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as there is no evidence showing severe symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee and mental health disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate for adjudication and requires additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's OSA, specifically addressing whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus or hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there were insufficient opinions regarding whether it was aggravated by a service-connected disability or caused obesity, which is a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is due to or results from obesity caused by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a deviated nasal septum has been withdrawn. The Board also denied service connection for left knee disability, IBS, sinusitis, and OSA due to burn pit exposure.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no current evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his obesity, which is a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea and would not have occurred without his service-connected disabilities, qualifies as a secondary condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is related to his military service, granting service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and resultant obesity, finding that the weight gain from his bilateral knee replacements caused his OSA.