Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims of service connection for a back disability, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea, neck disability, and back disability and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to service, including his ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU prior to August 27, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that his sleep apnea was related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and tension headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected anxiety.,Remaining issues of service connection for lumbar, cervical, thoracic spine disorders, left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder, paresthesia of the upper extremities, and sciatic pain are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information provided by the VA examiners regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to inadequate VA medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to provide additional records and undergo new addendum VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions have been caused or aggravated by his now service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating from November 6, 2017 to December 11, 2019. Since then, the claim for higher ratings has been denied. The Veteran also received separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of both legs associated with her lumbar spine disability. She was granted a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to an in-service incident of hypoxia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran's claims include psychiatric disorders, OSA, and knee disorders. Further examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. Her claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a miscarriage is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, sarcoidosis of the lungs, and left foot plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.