Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was presented to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for headaches. The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the current diagnosis is related to symptoms observed during active service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues before the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate ratings for service-connected coccidioidomycosis and scarring due to right latissimus dorsi fibrosarcoma.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for fatigue, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal disorder (claimed as GERD) due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination and insufficient consideration of lay statements. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, beginning July 20, 2015. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on all reasonable doubt being resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain are found to be service-connected as they are related to his in-service injury, which he reported.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected condition, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac arrythmia with palpitation, and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate examination reports. Additional development is required to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service or is related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for OSA and asthma is remanded as VA regulations do not allow for separate ratings for these respiratory conditions. The Board agrees with the previous rating decision that only one disability rating will be assigned, based on which condition is predominant.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bipolar Disorder is granted. Claims for Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are granted as service-connected, with the OSA resulting from an in-service nasal injury and IBS becoming manifest to a degree of at least 10 percent after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, emphysema, COPD, and sleep apnea due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's VA physician diagnosed him with emphysema in the past, but there is no evidence of this diagnosis in the record. Additional attempts must be made to locate the 1980s chest x-ray and an additional VA opinion should be obtained to determine whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of emphysema and if it is related to service. The issue of sleep apnea is also remanded as it may be caused or aggravated by any respiratory condition, including emphysema.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU prior to October 15, 2012. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary evidence linking the Veteran's sleep apnea to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran contends that his OSA is related to service, and he also argues that his service-connected PTSD, gastritis, trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip degenerative arthritis, left distal tibia, and left knee osteoarthritis contributed to his OSA. The Board finds the September 2020 medical examination inadequate.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, sleep apnea, GERD, and hypothyroidism are granted. The claim for PTSD is denied as the severity of symptoms does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.