Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of a seizure disorder. For TDIU, the Veteran is granted as his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. SMC based upon need for aid and attendance or being housebound remains pending due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his sleep apnea, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right shoulder disability, and a lumbar disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and thyroid disability due to service-connected conditions, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion is inadequate and requires further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's sleep disorder was incurred in or caused by service, as well as any aggravation of his service-connected knee disabilities and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been remanded due to new evidence received since the November 2002 rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his acquired psychiatric disability, a sinus disability, and vision loss have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the spine rating appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headaches and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issues regarding homonymous quadrantanopsia, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity and subsequent diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including the request for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, reopening of a previously denied claim for lumbar strain, TDIU prior to December 10, 2016, and increased ratings for cervical and right ankle strains. The Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, or if it is a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether OSA had its onset during service or is related to service and if it was caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with VA's duty to assist and remand directives. The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with rhinitis and/or asthmatic bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar residual of right thumb injury is granted. Claims for chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease (CAD)) and congestive heart failure (CHF), sleep apnea, and hypertension are denied.

The appeal of a service connection claim for albuminuria is dismissed. The service connection claims for insomnia, tinnitus, anemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), plantar fasciitis, acquired psychiatric disability, female sexual arousal disorder, and tinea pedis are referred back to the Regional Office for appropriate development and adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms became manifest during her active duty and are related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is proximately or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The decision will be reconsidered with a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion from an ophthalmologist.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.