Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there is at least an equal balance of evidence supporting this decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for pseudofolliculitis barbae, right and left knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, hypertension, stomach disability (acid reflux), cervical spine disability, low back disability, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, surgical scar on lower back, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and neurological disability of the right lower extremity. Additional development is required to obtain updated VA medical treatment records and properly executed releases for any private care providers who have treated the Veteran.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which includes consideration of whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with this determination and will also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and left shoulder disability for further development, including obtaining records related to a sleep study and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD, opioid use disorder (in remission), and stimulant use disorder have been granted service connection.,His obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. However, the issue of service connection for headaches is still pending due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide new VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and has been recurrent since then, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are dismissed. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes (due to Southwest Asia service), low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate examination reports. The VA examiners did not address the Veteran's lay statements, medical evidence, and specific treatment notes in their opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, OSA, and back conditions, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records from shortly after the Veteran's discharge. The Veteran's disabilities are being remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings are not warranted prior to June 12, 2007 or July 6, 2007. The claims have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The Board found insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to his active duty service or his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's COPD and OSA are being remanded for further development as the VA opinions obtained so far do not fully address all relevant evidence.,There is no indication of sleep problems in the Veteran's service records, but he contends that his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes, and/or peripheral neuropathy.