Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a VA examination and failure to provide information about medical providers. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, sleep apnea, tingling in hands, and low back condition. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and tingling in hands are remanded.,The decision on the issue of service connection for a skin condition is based on the lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during service or otherwise attributable to service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's active duty service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and if so, whether it was caused by or aggravated by that disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted in the March 2021 rating decision, effective January 27, 2021. The appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded due to this grant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, sinus headaches, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction) prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed service and was aggravated by service is remanded.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 16, 2022, for a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis as the disability did not meet the criteria for a 40% rating before that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of submucous resection for deviated nasal septum, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 6, 2021. A 40 percent rating is granted from March 6, 2021.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for fatigue, as well as the TDIU claim. The TDIU is granted effective August 13, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, disability rating, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a higher rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease and lumbosacral strain, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have an onset during active service or are otherwise related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his lumbosacral spondylosis, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of migraines related to his military service or service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities, and it is unclear if he qualifies for higher levels of SMC based on his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, right ankle and hip/knee disabilities, and a sleep disability. The issues are related to whether these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's military service or other previously service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his time in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The TDIU claim prior to January 3, 2019 is also being remanded.