Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and/or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and thus grants entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and headaches/migraines due to a failure to obtain necessary nexus opinions, as well as for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active-duty service and granted as a direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD, cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, and tinnitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's foot disorders are related to her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dyspnea, shortness of breath and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and service. The VA is required to provide an examination and obtain a medical opinion addressing the possible nexus between the Veteran's respiratory and sleep disorders and his in-service exposures.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating in excess of 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for L5-S1 lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no indication of its manifestation within one year of service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his OSA, and the effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA examination. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PFB and duodenal ulcer, as well as his claim for service connection of OSA. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with obesity as an intermediary step.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board found no evidence linking it to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations, as well as potential exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) is conceded.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder. The issues of service connection for seizure disorder, headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral flatfoot remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and if so, whether it would have occurred without the aggravation.