Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The VA needs to obtain more recent medical records and provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for secondary pulmonary hypertension (HTN) due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied. The evidence does not show that the HTN is a predominant disability, and the use of supplemental oxygen was within the scope of the existing criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for aortic stenosis and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate consideration of the obesity-intermediate step theory.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with mechanical low back pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of all theories raised by the Veteran and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again, including his exposure to toxins from smoke or fire.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for a right ankle disorder and bilateral flat feet/tendonitis.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and opinion, including on the issue of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including flat feet, sleep apnea, GERD, a testicular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also includes a request for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back disability, but additional development is needed on claims for Parkinson's disease, left knee and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as TDIU prior to August 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diastolic heart failure, hypertension, sleep apnea, a seizure disorder and a neurocognitive disorder are being remanded due to new theories of entitlement raised in his June 2022 brief. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's OSA is related to service, neuropathy of the upper extremities and back disability are being examined again, and a full accounting of his treatment records from Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany must be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's back disability is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for derma fibrosarcoma as it is considered unrelated to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, pes planus, and onychomycosis are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, OSA, and migraine headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2022, for service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis now with degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as lumbosacral strain with scoliosis) was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. Her claims for service connection for a neck disability are remanded.,The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2022, due to lack of incapacitating episodes or limitation of motion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a neck disability are remanded.