Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain is granted as service connected, presumed to be related to Gulf War service.,Glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea are not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and migraines. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific issues decided.

The Board has granted service connection for costochondritis and remanded the neck disability and sleep apnea claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis. However, the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

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

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to address the Veteran's contention that in-service treatment for GERD predisposed him to developing sleep apnea, and exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether his service-connected depressive disorder aggravated it. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's father's observations, his own testimony about weight gain during service, and medical literature.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip arthritis with hip joint replacement and left hip trochanteric, bursitis, degenerative arthritis, and prosthetic left hip joint, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition, diagnosed as thoracic and lumbosacral strain, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether sleep apnea and major depressive disorder are secondary to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, which is claimed to be secondary to service-connected asthma. The Veteran's claim will need further development and a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to January 25, 2022 and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, chronic back pain, blood clot in the right leg, and a skin condition to include athlete's foot and toenail fungus. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The issues of service connection for right and left ankle arthritis, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need to determine his periods of active and inactive duty in the Air National Guard, which may affect his eligibility for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for bladder cancer and sleep apnea service connection has been dismissed as the AOJ has already granted service connection for bladder cancer, and the Veteran withdrew his appeal for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to address the right hand disability.