Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of any joint other than the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of a current disability in that area. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder have been granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD has been denied, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain as the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and alopecia as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service. The medical evidence did not support direct service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, chronic and recurrent prostatitis, varicose veins of the left lower extremity, and varicose veins of the right lower extremity as their disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected left shoulder disability and obesity, which he contends caused his current sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inappropriately considering evidence submitted after the June 2022 AOJ decision. The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected back disability, including as a result of obesity caused by that condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for service connection of sleep apnea. The Veteran seeks service connection for this condition, which he argues may be proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right ankle disability due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to burn pits during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a TERA examination and to clarify the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a direct medical opinion and an adequate secondary service connection medical opinion, as well as issues related to obtaining the Veteran's separation medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected rhinosinusitis with nasal septal deviation.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and to include as due to obesity as an intermediate step, requires additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his sleep apnea. The claims are therefore being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disability but granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has restored service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the original decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began in service and have persisted continuously through to his formal diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that it is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election. The appeal of lumbosacral strain was remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for OSA is denied as he does not use a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine. The claims of service connection for hypertension and headaches are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection issues, including left leg neuropathy, right leg neuropathy, sinus, rhinitis, asthma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroids, PTSD, diabetes, heart, right hemiparesis, cervical, and other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.