Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, lung condition, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective January 25, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including considering exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, with the former being granted. The claim for sleep apnea remains closed as no new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection is denied for a bilateral foot condition (heel spurs and plantar fasciitis), as there is insufficient evidence to establish that the condition had its onset in service or is causally related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to obtain private medical records from a VA examiner who reviewed these records but did not have them in the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service in Southwest Asia, specifically his exposure to burn pits and other potential exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected low back disability and right sciatic radiculopathy were denied. She was also denied eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating. Service connection for a neck disability and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, depression, back disability, sleep apnea, bilateral flat feet, right hip disability, left hip disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain treatment records, provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, and determine if any are related to service or secondary to diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. Additional treatment records and an addendum opinion are needed from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right scapula/shoulder disability and neurological disabilities of the feet and lower extremity. The appeals are being returned to VA for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea with hypoxia (OSA) and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), finding that these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's OSA was caused by his active-duty service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service connection claims due to his death.

The petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anemia, a heart disability (claimed as angina), and dry eye disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder DJD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records showing a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lay testimony about an in-service injury. The issues remain on appeal as they are not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral disorder with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.