Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as the claims file does not contain updated VA treatment records or a recent SSOC addressing this evidence. Additionally, another attempt to contact the Veteran for VA examinations is necessary.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed during service and is considered to have started there, granting service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for leg length discrepancy and obstructive sleep apnea are inadequate, necessitating further examination to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran and her representative will need to provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy to 10 percent, effective May 9, 2018, was not proper and restored the 20 percent rating from May 9, 2018. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for various conditions, with some issues remanded for further review and others denied. The primary issue is the denial of a higher rating for tinnitus, which has been assigned the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung conditions to include COPD and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's testimony will be considered in determining whether his current hearing loss, COPD, and sleep apnea are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records. Additional development is needed, including obtaining addendum opinions on the Veteran's knee condition and blood clots in his legs, as well as an opinion regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.,VA provided the Veteran with a Sleep Apnea examination in July 2021, but the examiner did not consider all relevant factors and risk factors for sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for sinusitis/rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and residuals of deviated septum have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examination. The Veteran's joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, headaches, neurological condition, night sweats, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and OSA due to inadequate medical opinions in November 2019. The VA must obtain updated treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a new examination, and provide an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous medical opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected tinnitus, needs further clarification and evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic conjunctivitis, chronic headaches, and a sleep disorder (claimed as OSA) due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's recurrent sleep disability, including obstructive sleep apnea, is related to his service. The VA examiner was requested to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and morbid obesity, which may be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or heart disease.

The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative arthritis, is granted as service connected. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and left foot disability due to new evidence showing worsening conditions. The Veteran will need VA examinations to assess her current disabilities.