Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as her service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar strain, did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran was able to work during the appeal period despite missing some days due to her migraines.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea (OSA), and any secondary relationship to PTSD. The Veteran's OSA was not incurred during his active service, nor can it be attributed to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as new evidence of worsening since previous evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, dry eyes, skin rash, sarcoidosis, IBS, and acid reflux. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The right and left knee disorders are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, right medial tibial stress syndrome status post stress fracture, right knee impairment, left foot status post stress fracture with residual pain, left medial tibial stress syndrome status post stress fracture and left knee impairment with associated symptoms to include pain, painful range of motion and associated sleep disturbance related to pain, caused his obesity. This obesity in turn caused the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2022. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one-year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD, is granted. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder, a digestive disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to toxic exposure risk activities during service, including deployment in Southwest Asia, Kuwait, and Iraq. The AOJ should also provide a more detailed memorandum addressing the specific toxic exposures experienced by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and OSA, both secondary to PTSD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should have been provided VA examinations and medical opinions assessing his claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction before the November 2022 rating decision on appeal was issued. The case is REMANDED to correct this error.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and Lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee strain, and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical evidence addressing these issues.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain disability and has remanded her claims of service connection for bilateral hip disabilities as secondary to her lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including a depressive disorder and/or alcohol use disorder, has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service or any other basis for service connection. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current weight gain is not due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions and thus his sleep apnea is not secondary to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, with obesity as an intermediate step. Therefore, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, insomnia disorder, right thumb strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The Veteran's left eye pterygium was assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinion and a need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis.