Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a new etiology opinion to assess whether it began in service, was caused by his service-connected knee disabilities, or underwent any incremental increase due to these disabilities. The examiner must also determine if the Veteran's obesity (caused by his service-connected knee disabilities) was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea and if his sleep apnea would not have occurred but for this obesity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration of obesity as an intermediate step between his PTSD and sleep apnea, and for further VA respiratory examination.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea. The case is remanded for an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for atrial fibrillation and a TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions, failure to obtain all VA ECG records, and inextricability of the TDIU claim with the increased rating claims.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran's OSA was found to have manifested during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the left foot disorder and right foot disorder is denied.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, but his sleep apnea and elbow disabilities do not have a service connection.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with asthma that may be related to his in-service chronic sinusitis. His acquired psychiatric disorder is also service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, headaches, and hyperthyroidism with RLS are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for gastroenteritis, sinusitis, and hypertension were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

Service connection for a testicular varicose vein condition with epididymal cyst is granted. The issues of service connection for a low back condition and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issue of service connection for depression (claimed as mood disorder) has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the heart disability issue for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective September 8, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its onset in service, whether it is proximately due to his PTSD, and if it has been aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The claims for service connection for a back condition and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD are being remanded due to inadequate opinions on the part of the VA examiners.