Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, sleep disorder (OSA), left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete development of the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rosacea and squamous cell carcinoma, finding that these conditions did not begin in or are otherwise related to his military service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for MDD as secondary to schizoaffective disorder and granted SMC based on aid and attendance needs. The case is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed headache condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations due to the passage of time since his last evaluations, which do not comply with current regulations.

The Veteran's leukemia and OSA have been granted service connection. The Board found that the leukemia is related to in-service toxin exposure, specifically working around burn pits in Iraq. The OSA was determined to be aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for an intestinal disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2019 VA examination. The case will be returned for an adequate medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran contends that his weight problems, which led to obesity, were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right ankle instability, right shoulder dislocation, and lumbosacral strain.

Service connection for OSA, CFS, and IBS has been granted. The effective dates are February 9, 2014.,The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations is presumed to be related to his diagnoses of CFS and IBS.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes planus were all found to be incurred during his period of active service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee arthropathy and degenerative arthritis, as well as his right and left elbow tendinitis, lumbosacral arthralgia, L5-S1 paracentral disc protrusion, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are all granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on their relationship to in-service injuries or stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea, including whether it is secondary to asthma or obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings of mood disorder, right knee instability, and lumbosacral strain as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had its onset in service.,The Veteran's right little finger metacarpal fracture did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of ankylosis or functional impairment akin to amputation.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support or suggest that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death in any way.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was remanded due to incomplete or unclear evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any new claims.