Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA, back disability, and neck disability may be related to service. However, due to insufficient evidence for a definitive opinion on the etiology of these conditions, the claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of pes planus, hypertension, chronic left mediatibial stress syndrome, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The Board finds the evidence persuasive that she is unable to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, an effective date prior to December 6, 2014 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus, and nonservice-connected pension have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received for sleep apnea, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the January 2021 remand directives and thus, further remand is required for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively have been considered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as it requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition and whether his service-connected reactive airway disease has caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining private treatment records and addressing whether SMC at the (s) rate is warranted based on the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the OSA was aggravated by testosterone treatment used to treat osteopenia caused by opioid use.

The Veteran's initial claim for chronic sinusitis has been granted with a 10% rating, effective from the date of the claim.,A separate 10% rating is granted for vertigo. The combined disability evaluation now includes both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied claims for right hip, left hip, and right knee conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to have begun during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, claimed as anxiety and depression, and for insomnia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the March 2010 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on service connection for OSA, as it is unclear whether PTSD may be proximately due to or aggravated by OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder impingement syndrome, chronic left and right wrist sprains, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations in November 2016. The Veteran is required to undergo updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty or any in-service injury. The Board also found that the large gap between the nose injury and the diagnosis of sleep apnea makes it unlikely that the condition began during service.