Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2020 VA Form 20-0996 for service connection was denied because it was not received within one year after the May 2015 rating decision, and concurrent review options were prohibited.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is related to asthma. The Veteran's Gulf War exposure will also be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis status-post right knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active service and is granted as service-connected.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to his lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability had onset in active duty service. The decision concludes that the reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain, and spondylolisthesis. These conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected asthma and sleep apnea. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as he has reported working as an independent insurance agent.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for sleep apnea, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea, as the Veteran's condition only required a CPAP machine and did not meet the criteria for chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and additional medical opinions are needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including his Gulf War exposures.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was received since the March 2021 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA. The case is now remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected reactive airway disease and allergic rhinitis, has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board requires an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability. The VA must obtain a new medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to allergic rhinitis and/or chronic sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or chronic sinusitis is found to have caused or aggravated his current disability, but the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision concludes that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions.