Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The appeal seeking service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the benefit requested has been granted. The claims of service connection for neoplasm of the kidney with kidney removal and obstructive and central sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The Veteran's current conditions have not been fully evaluated, and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posterior neck scarring, PFB of the posterior neck and hairline, and lumbosacral spine strain are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Further evaluations by VA doctors will be needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination. The TERA examination is required as the Veteran served in Vietnam and Persian Gulf regions, which may have exposed him to toxic risk activities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and exposure basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation, as well as exposure to toxic substances.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, finding no factually ascertainable increase in severity within the year prior to March 15, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder due to an inadequate opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various wrist and hip conditions, as well as chronic diarrhea and a back condition due to insufficient evidence or inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability (specifically left knee disability), should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye condition, depression, right knee degenerative arthritis, high blood pressure (hypertension), left hip arthritis (status post hip replacement), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with a 50% evaluation effective July 25, 2018. The Board found that the claim had been continuously pursued since the original intent to file on July 25, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is causally related to the Veteran's military service, specifically his exposure to particulates while deployed in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to a service-connected disability and due to exposure to toxic agents (TERA). The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence and analysis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other conditions caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA.

The VA awarded an effective date of June 12, 2015 for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35. The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees based on past-due benefits is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that her obesity, which was aggravated by her service-connected left knee and right shoulder disabilities, is a substantial factor in causing her current obstructive sleep apnea.