Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The issues include sleep apnea, respiratory conditions (including asthma and bronchitis), and a lower back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the condition was shown in service and continues to be diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his cardiomyopathy with chronic atrial fibrillation and does not otherwise relate to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his back disability from November 2011 to the present.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right knee sprain and chronic lumbosacral sprain, both secondary to her service-connected left knee injury.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is associated with his service-connected lumbar spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion and need for an addendum regarding potential secondary or aggravation by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm, left leg aneurysm, right leg aneurysm, skin disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not been reassessed in over seven years, and he testified that his tinnitus is also a problem. Therefore, another VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and whether it causes or aggravates his tinnitus.,The Veteran contends that his GERD warrants a higher rating than 10 percent. The most recent examination was in December 2014, which does not account for his current symptoms such as vomiting and esophageal spasm. Another VA examination is needed to reassess the severity of his GERD.,The Veteran contends that he has esophageal spasm associated with his GERD. The most recent examination noted no esophageal spasm at all, but a private record from 2015 diagnosed him with OSA. An additional VA examination is needed to determine whether the esophageal spasm is related to his GERD or instead attributable to another condition.,The Veteran contends that he has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to loud snoring during service. The most recent STRs do not indicate any symptoms of OSA, and a private record from 2015 diagnosed him with OSA. An additional VA examination is needed to determine whether his OSA started in service or is related to another condition.,The Veteran contends that he has congestion, including asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, which began during service. The most recent STRs do not indicate any symptoms of these conditions, but a private record from 2014 diagnosed him with allergic rhinitis. An additional VA examination is needed to determine whether his current condition is related to service or another condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional evidence received since the October 2019 Board remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, central nervous system dysfunction, and neurobehavioral effects due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical records are needed, and a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent throughout the appeal period, with no higher rating granted due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including liver damage, sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, DM, spleen damage, kidney condition, and asthma, all related to hazardous chemical exposure, including asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's ED is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for OSA is remanded. The claims for higher ratings of depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and low back disability are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability, lung cancer, atrial fibrillation, squamous cell carcinoma, and lymphosarcoma. Special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.