Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for his left knee disability. A remand is required to obtain an addendum VA opinion addressing the specific contention that prior to his right knee surgery he had a double limp with created a severe limp in his left knee, as well as an adequate opinion on aggravation of nonservice-connected disabilities.,A remand is necessary for a new VA examination and rating determination due to the Veteran's testimony of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a fractured nose with deviated nasal septum. A remand is required for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition, including sinusitis or rhinitis if applicable.,A TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for right knee disability and thus must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, status-post total left knee replacement, and right knee, as well as a TDIU prior to March 24, 2017. The remand is due to incomplete opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups at relevant VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, urticaria, sleep apnea, and a sleep disorder (part of PTSD) as there is no evidence of current diagnoses during the appeal period.,Service connection was granted for clinical dyspepsia with a rating of 10%.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea likely began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his OSA to his active duty service or a service-connected disability. The issue of a 10% rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities was dismissed as the Veteran now has a compensable rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The TDIU claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted as the new evidence received raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim and there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current sleep apnea is related to his in-service diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbosacral disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were incurred in active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and/or pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left thigh/hip disability, and dry eye syndrome. The case is remanded to address the Veteran's claim for pes planus with plantar fasciitis of the left foot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder associated with bilateral hearing loss, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) were denied increased ratings.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) was also denied an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and were related to his military service. Service connection was denied for a skin condition, Bilateral Eye Skin Tags.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bladder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss due to multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's left heel spur is granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability (spondylosis) is granted service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding an initial increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, vertigo, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, left hip and thigh disability, right hip and thigh disability, sleep apnea, and a low back disability. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.