Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for a neurologic condition of the lower extremities, claimed as nerve spasms, is denied. The claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted but not higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to issue a new Supplemental Statement of the Case after receiving additional evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is now pending again with the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The cases of PTSD, brain carcinoma, and TBI are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and thyroid disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorders other than asthma including chronic cough, COPD and RAD, and sleep apnea syndromes are reopened. The claim of service connection for a thoracic spine disorder (secondary to right shoulder disability), a cervical spine disorder (secondary to right shoulder disability), chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to sleep apnea syndromes), and migraines (secondary to cervical spine disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service incurrence of symptoms, and a nexus between the two.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that there was no evidence of onset or continuity of symptoms in service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right medial epicondylitis are each granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent from May 1, 2010 to November 6, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service.,Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is also denied as there is no clear history of the condition during or shortly after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the adequacy of the statement of reasons and bases, as well as the failure to ensure compliance with the duty to assist. The Veteran's service personnel records need to be obtained for a new VA examiner to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to any service-connected disorder, specifically his military boxing experience.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest during his active duty and are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The appeal for glaucoma was withdrawn by the appellant. Service connection for left knee instability has been restored to its prior level of 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiomyopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is related to his OSA.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, cervical degenerative disc disease and facet and uncinate arthrosis involving C5-C5 and C6-C7, and chronic post-traumatic headache have been dismissed as freestanding claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, cervical degenerative disc disease, and chronic post-traumatic headache remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, need further examination and evaluation. The VA will conduct a physical examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.