Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea and her military service. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The new opinion is required to address whether OSA had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. Additionally, the opinion must consider whether obesity, a condition found to be substantially related to her service-connected disabilities, played a role in causing or aggravating her OSA.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded to determine if his October 2009 deployment in Egypt qualifies for active duty status, which would allow him to seek service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected PTSD and gunshot wound to the right thigh.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no direct causality between the two conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2018. The Board has decided to remand the case for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain. The Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders, as well as his left hip, knee, and lower extremity radiculopathy are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral foot fungus for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 60 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for varicocele, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to July 2, 2020 due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for postoperative umbilical hernia repair is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine DDD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted. Service connection is also granted for arthritis. The claims for service connection for a right foot condition and a left foot condition are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TBI, but denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether OSA started during service, if it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, and if obesity contributed to the condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a TDIU and has remanded three issues: tinnitus, right lower extremity neurological disability, and left lower extremity neurological disability. The OSA claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The claim for low back disability remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing two articles submitted by the Veteran regarding occupational exposure and sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to review these articles and provide an updated opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's OSA was incurred in or related to service, including due to asbestos and/or benzene exposure while working as a mechanic.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for clarification on the standard used in the secondary service connection opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.