Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a liver condition (diagnosed as cirrhosis and hepatic steatosis) that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and hypertension disabilities. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to his service-connected PTSD, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The Board has granted the claim as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant records such as ROTC personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA on a direct basis is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support finding that his OSA had its onset during or was related to his military service, including his presumed exposure to herbicide agents. His claim for secondary service connection is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection for tinnitus was also granted on a direct basis, with no indication of an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell cancer of the face was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the review period.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) due to credible lay reports and VA examination findings linking the condition to in-service trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his VA Form 9 was not timely filed within 60 days of receiving the January 2018 Statement of the Case (SOC). The Board found that the SOC was properly mailed to the Veteran and his representative at their known addresses.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of DMII, hypertension, heart palpitations, and sleep apnea are remanded due to a duty to assist error in the left knee claim. The AOJ must obtain an opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and thus granted secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals of the January 2021 and February 2019 rating decisions for sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and persistent depressive disorder are denied. The appeal of the January 2021 decision is dismissed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no prior unadjudicated claim found in the record. The issue of TDIU was not raised until after a final rating decision on service connection for PTSD and TBI.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating, and he failed to establish service connection for hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, neck condition, or knee conditions.

The Veteran's PFB and OSA claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected conditions, including his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The VA has already granted this benefit in an earlier decision, and the issue is moot.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding it directly related to the Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during military service.