Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain. The issues of special monthly compensation due to housebound status are also inextricably intertwined and have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for a TDIU rating due to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence and lay statements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claims for right and left hamstring disabilities, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for further development.,A VA examination is required for the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) due to incomplete development. The AOJ must conduct a preliminary assessment and obtain further medical explanation from the underwriter regarding non-service-connected disabilities before adjudicating the S-DVI claim.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right hip disability, and sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension remains remanded as new evidence does not establish a compensable degree within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for back disability and the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional consideration of lay evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a March 2016 VA examination report and because additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records from New Orleans VAMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lay statements and opinions from his VA physician. The claims will be reviewed with new examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, skin cancer, a headache disorder, GERD, and other musculoskeletal issues. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim remains in remand status as a VA examination is needed to address whether his OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is not related to his service. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence received, which includes treatment records showing newly diagnosed alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The appeals for secondary service connection for OSA, respiratory disorder, left leg condition, and right leg condition are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or lung disease. The Veteran previously asserted that his sleep apnea was secondary to exposure of inhalation from burn pit smoke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mood disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.