Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address the heart issues and their relationship to service. The thyroid cancer claim is denied as there is no evidence of current thyroid cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and secondary service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is related to the Veteran's service-connected Multiple Sclerosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another spine examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to her service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the benefit has been granted.,Residuals of a head injury and back disability are remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Back disability is remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Respiratory disorder (including spot on lung, shortness of breath, and/or sleep apnea) is remanded due to need for updated VA treatment records and addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided that service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for Right Hand Arthritis and Left Hand Arthritis as residuals of cold weather injuries.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, TBI, thoracolumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disorder, CTS, and OSA. The Veteran's claims were not adjudicated on the basis of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a nexus to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to service or his service-connected hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and will need further development including obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's right hip condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and left knee strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service dates and locations, as well as an incomplete VA medical opinion regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues currently on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a December 2020 VA medical opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to service-connected lumbosacral sprain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The remand requires the Veteran's claim be reviewed by a qualified VA examiner who has expertise in sleep-related disorders to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether PTSD causes or aggravates OSA.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from March 23, 2015 to February 28, 2019 due to his service-connected sleep apnea, bilateral gout of the feet, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's initial rating for Persistent Depressive Disorder was denied prior to March 30, 1989. From March 30, 1989, to May 31, 2012, a higher rating of 30% was granted. As of May 31, 2012, the Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder is rated at 70%. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for OSA and TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20% since March 21, 2013. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea).