Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the evidence supports a direct relationship between his active service and the condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on the claims. The Veteran's service connection requests for various conditions are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to additional relevant evidence being added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no link between his military service and the condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition is not related to active service or service-connected conditions. The bilateral foot disability claim was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and tinea pedis for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse and substance abuse in remission caused or aggravated his obesity, which may have contributed to his Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and OSA as there is insufficient evidence to resolve these issues. The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hypertension, but his wife reported high blood pressure upon entrance. For OSA, the Veteran contends symptoms began during service and continued after separation. The VA examiners' opinions are conflicting on whether the conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The decision also notes that service connection for this condition will be considered on its merits.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, finding the evidence did not support a causal relationship.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that his current condition is related to service.,The Veteran's low back condition, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate rationale in the May 2022 VA examination report.

The Board has denied service connection for Grave's Disease and dismissed the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of a justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and duodenal ulcer have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes is granted as it is proximately due to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the condition began during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because her employment was not considered substantially gainful, despite her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right hip condition, and right shoulder condition due to a lack of VA examinations.