Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active military service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his obesity is an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to exposure to fine particulate matter during Gulf War service. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including hypertension, skin disorder, sleep apnea, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right hip, and removal of gall bladder, all allegedly due to exposure during Project SHAD. The Board found that there was no clear evidence of specific health effects associated with Project SHAD participation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and lung condition were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of either condition, with the exception of obstructive sleep apnea which was diagnosed in 2015. Lung condition was not supported by objective medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the possibility of relevant SSA records not being in the file.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The rating for his PTSD remains at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, and Type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete TERA memoranda. The Veteran's exposure history is unclear, and further development is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis. The issue of secondary service connection for OSA due to sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU from September 14, 2018. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are now pending with VA for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His hypertension claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's PTSD is aggravated by his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed during active duty service and the Board found that it began during this period, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches and Meniere's disease are also remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, right foot nerve damage, left foot nerve damage, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and chronic sinus disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and determination of potential TERA exposures.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his obesity, which was caused by service-connected psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities. OSA would not have occurred but for obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to his service. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to toxic substances during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's bilateral hand tremors are granted as service-connected.,PTSD with TBI is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, the maximum available under current criteria.,Posttraumatic headaches are granted a 50 percent rating.