Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected conditions or if it was caused by obesity.

The Board has decided to reopen the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and remanded it due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being evaluated again, including its relation to active service or service-connected PTSD.

Service connection is granted for DDD with strain and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine.,Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative arthritis with post-traumatic changes.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, as well as whether it is related to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service records, specifically an entrance examination from the Veteran's last period of active duty (December 2004 to April 2006). The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea that may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 21, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.,Specifically, the Veteran's service treatment records did not show any diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric condition, such as PTSD. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), prior to August 10, 2022. However, the Board found that VA's duty to assist requires an examination to determine if the Veteran is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis was granted, but a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been established. However, the Veteran's skin disability remains at 10 percent and needs further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia due to inadequate rationale in the November 2022 decision. The CAVC found fault with the credibility determination regarding the Veteran's statements about service-related sleep issues, and ordered a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his disabilities. A TERA-specific opinion is also required.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective May 1, 2018, as he has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since at least 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of an opinion regarding its etiology, and requests that further medical evaluation be conducted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD with major depression recurrent w/o psychosis, due to insufficient medical opinions and potential duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but remanded the cases for further development regarding DM II, OSA, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to his service and remands the case for further development.,The Veteran contends his current right shoulder condition is due to heavy lifting during service, but there is no evidence of a pre-existing injury or chronic condition in service. The VA examination did not find any link between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence is at least in balance regarding whether OSA was caused by PTSD.