Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is less likely than not caused by the Veteran's service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that obesity, which was not caused by his service-connected conditions, does not constitute an intermediate step to support a secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination to assess the extent of his symptoms, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for tinea cruris, hemorrhoids, nose bleeds, foot skin rash, OSA, lumbar spine disability, anxiety disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, as it relates to his service-connected nasal disabilities. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected nasal disabilities.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of bilateral wrist disability and sleep apnea, as VA medical opinions are required to address whether these disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure during his service in Okinawa, specifically related to diabetes mellitus type II and angiosarcoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities related to the claimed conditions during or recent to the pendency of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no medical opinion linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and DM II, as well as any aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, effective April 24, 2013. The Veteran's in-service stressor was identified and considered in the July 2021 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder, back injury, and left foot sprain. The Veteran's right eye disorder is not related to his active duty service or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. His back injury is not related to his military service. His left foot sprain is not related to his military service.,The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis for the claimed conditions and concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's active duty service and any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection for PTSD is granted. An initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 27, 2020 is also granted. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The cases of numb skin patches, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his lumbosacral spine disability. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service, including his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sleep apnea due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA medical opinion. The case must be returned for further development.