Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has identified errors in obtaining dosimetry information and providing a VA examination, leading to the remand of the service connection claim for thyroid cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not originate in active service or until years thereafter and was not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The Board also found that it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for OSA and whether service-connected conditions caused or aggravated obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a sleep disability. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not have its onset in or is otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to inadequate evidence from previous examinations, particularly regarding range of motion testing. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-8940. A new VA spine examination will be scheduled to assess current disability severity and estimate functional loss during flare-ups and with repeated use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, its relationship to service, psychiatric medications, and obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous directives and an incorrect legal standard in the medical opinion regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for sleep apnea and for service connection claims for low back pain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and tinnitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that her range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to flare-ups or other factors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his service in Southwest Asia. The disorder was also determined not to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is incomplete and remands for an addendum to address service connection on a direct basis, secondary to asthma, and the Veteran's contentions regarding his medications.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing his exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a lack of an examination and insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient examination findings and lack of clarity in the opinions provided.

The Veteran's COPD is caused by his service-connected fibrocystic lung disease, and the claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service-connected fibrocystic lung disease is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating satisfaction with the decision and wishing to withdraw all remaining issues.