Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA, diverticulitis, asthma, and CFS are related to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder, or obesity. The VA examinations were inadequate in addressing these relationships due to errors in factual premises.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was previously denied in February 2015. The Board found that the August 6, 2019 supplemental claim did not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the case, as the findings of chronic sleep impairment were established prior to the denial. Therefore, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the January 2021 VA examination, which did not adequately address the relationship between sleep apnea and service connection. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions in its August 2023 decision, and now needs to provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for sleep apnea, finding that the February 2015 rating decision incorrectly applied the applicable laws and regulations existing at the time, when it assigned separate disability ratings for sleep apnea and asthma. The reduction in evaluation was proper based on CUE.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. Claims for hypertension and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his military service and is related to it, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with panic attacks was granted effective January 29, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were granted effective November 13, 2020.,The Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy were granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical strain.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, COPD, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a service-connected condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, right hip condition, and left hip condition are all granted. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea, right hip condition, and left hip condition are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of any claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his withdrawal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, should be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection and the evidence suggests possible exposure to burn pits during deployment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea may be related to his service-connected disabilities, but additional evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension and recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea) due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions' relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of its onset during a qualifying period of active service or that it is otherwise related to service.