Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a spine examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient addressing of secondary service connection for sleep apnea and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding its relation to in-service exposures.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, but no higher. The condition is currently manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records from June 2022 onwards. The AOJ is instructed to adjudicate these issues in the first instance before addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary condition, GERD, ED, hypertension, prostate disorder, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship between his service-connected TBI and these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 40 percent initial rating, but no higher, effective August 17, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. A TDIU has been granted, but an effective date earlier than December 15, 2014, for the peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities has not been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and multiple sclerosis due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss disability, hemorrhoids, hypertension, PTSD and bipolar disorder, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, knee strains, and pes cavus. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to December 6, 2013 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headache condition, and heart disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms from his disabilities are considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left ankle disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service or any other condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for scalp scar, skin cancer (not specified), other skin condition (to include chloracne and dry skin on the feet), and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are pending as they have not yet been decided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and obesity. The case will be returned for further development.