Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, heart condition, and TDIU claim. The issues include service connection for sleep apnea due to PTSD and heart condition due to PTSD, with a focus on whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected dysphonia and/or scars, residuals of a tracheostomy. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on both the proximate cause and aggravation aspects.

Service connection for OSA is granted.,Service connection for a vision loss disability is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,An increased rating for bronchitis is remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need for additional testing.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, respiratory disorder (SA), and sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the conditions preexisted his service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many cases, or an in-service event that is related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a TBI and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the TBI. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical opinions linking his current conditions to his in-service head injury.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the right anterolateral tongue are granted as service connected.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2014. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted with an effective date of July 31, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, GERD, allergies, anemia, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent before June 28, 2016 and at 60 percent thereafter. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea remains in dispute and must be remanded.

The Veteran's heart disease and hypertension were denied as not related to service.,Sleep apnea was granted as aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The TDIU issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, claimed as a back condition to include as secondary to his service-connected right foot and bilateral knee disabilities is granted. The appeal seeking entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus status post bunionectomy is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for plantar calcaneal spur exostosis of the right foot, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. His right shoulder injury and low back injury are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and anxiety disorders, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was documented at the time of his initial enlistment, and there is no evidence indicating that it underwent an aggravation during service. The Board finds that the condition has not been permanently aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service.,Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the in-service complaint had been considered.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was diagnosed at least several years earlier than during service, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying that the complete factual record has been considered.,Service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran had such a condition during the appeal period that resolved prior to the more recent examinations.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not diagnosed at the time of the VA examination, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying whether he had such a condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's condition is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to the need for an appropriate records search and examination regarding a verified in-service stressor.