Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and related issues have been dismissed, except for the sarcoidosis claim which has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims for service connection for Barrett's esophagus and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the left hip have been granted. The claim for left foot bunions is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to inadequate VA examination and missing VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between service, including in-service events and exposures, and the Veteran's sleep apnea and headache disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbosacral spine. The remaining issues, including sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, constipation, and TDIU, are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for right knee disability and left knee disability are also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with the claim.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there was no evidence showing that the current non-service-connected disability (OSA) is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his active service and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's depression and obesity, which is necessary for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for lumbosacral strain, a bilateral peripheral nerve condition (sciatica), and pes planus are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, hypertension, and flat feet due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa and determined that he is entitled to this benefit. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports a finding that the Veteran's condition first manifested during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected sinusitis and/or seizure disorder. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD with emphysema, OSA, skin cancer, and PTSD due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.