Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, urinary incontinence, hepatitis C, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) aggravates his Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on this matter, and thus a new examination is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the sleep apnea is etiologically related to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD and/or TMJ, and denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all appeals, including those for service connection and readjudication of various disabilities. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) began during his active military service and is therefore granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to service, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion and spinal stenosis (claimed as back injury) and hernia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate nexus opinion and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities was denied because the effective date requested (prior to August 10, 2020) is not supported by evidence of a timely filed claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder and right shoulder strain as proximately due to left shoulder disability. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the Appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a hearing scheduled in June 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), obstructive sleep apnea, and PTSD is granted. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain (back disability) due to combat involvement in Iraq, finding that his current condition is more likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically considering potential exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to consider whether it is related to PTSD or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's back injury is presumed to have occurred prior to service, but it is unclear if the preexisting condition worsened during service.