Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and seborrheic dermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, OSA, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence and duty to assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) likely had its onset during service, and therefore grants service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with obesity acting as an intermediate step.

The Veteran submitted new evidence showing a relationship between his OSA, obesity, and service-connected bilateral knee disability. The AOJ has not yet readjudicated the claim on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew all outstanding appeals, including those related to the conditions listed above.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), right knee disability, respiratory disease including tonsillitis, bronchitis and sleep apnea, ulcer condition, migraine headaches, skin disability, tuberculosis, and insomnia due to unclear evidence of service connection.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no current diagnosis for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically his cervical spine degenerative disc disease and obesity. The initial ratings for the neck condition, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and back condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing new opinions regarding flare-ups and their impact on range of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a hernia is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected heart disease.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied, as there is no evidence linking the condition to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete development, including a missing medical report and an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his TBI. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the missing report and provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current disability related to a TBI and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure to contact and reschedule him for an examination, finding that he may have been confused about his current status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, missing treatment records, and procedural errors. The claims will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete records development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and congestive heart failure with implanted cardiac pacemaker associated with hypertension.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss and an ear condition (claimed as ear infection) is denied.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, so no higher evaluation can be granted.,Service connection for left tinea pedis (claimed as Athlete's foot) is denied.