Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's PTSD is claimed as a potential cause or exacerbator of his sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion provided are inadequate for adjudicative purposes, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected ankylosis of the thumb. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain a new adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition and lumbosacral condition. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and cervical strain with arthritis were denied effective November 14, 2012. The Board found that the earliest permissible effective date was November 14, 2012.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and earlier effective dates due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip pain has been granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability secondary to the service-connected right hip disability is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right upper extremity neurologic disorder other than right middle finger surgical neuropathy, left knee, and sleep apnea disorders have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection was granted for a right middle finger surgical neuropathy disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and cervical strains, finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, and sleep apnea are denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error related to herbicide exposure verification. The AOJ must obtain an updated Herbicide Exposure Verification Memorandum with signatures from both an employee conducting the search and a records research specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient evidence for service connection of OSA. A VA examination is needed, including consideration of BPOT exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service toxic exposure and his current conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left upper extremity neuritis, right upper extremity neuritis, and right lower extremity sciatica. The claims of service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for GERD due to a lack of adequate medical nexus opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

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), with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.