Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and burn pits during service. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether his sleep apnea is related to these exposures.

The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion addressing potential relationships between PTSD symptoms and the development of OSA, including its impact on multiple risk factors. The examiner will also assess whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his OSA.

The Veteran's left peroneal nerve damage is granted as service connected, with the onset within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to a grant in a separate rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a failure of the Regional Office (RO) to provide VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and residuals of a torn right hamstring are not yet determined to be related to his military service.

The reduction of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper due to an inadequate VA examination report, and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private medical records and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder because it is a duplicate appeal that was previously adjudicated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 60 percent for sleep apnea with asthma and in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was not at a 100% level before October 11, 2019. The Board denied her request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is secondary to PTSD or a direct result of military service. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits in Iraq is also noted.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, OSA, and headaches. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are all resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is secondary to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right hip degenerative arthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral spine arthritis. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that service connection is denied for transient ischemic attacks, depressive disorder, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia residuals, hypertension, sleep apnea, dyspnea, and hyperresponsive airway disease. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's left knee arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the petition to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there was no new and relevant evidence submitted since the September 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee scars has been denied because the scars do not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD with major depressive disorder).

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no persuasive evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.