Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol use is not found to be related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records, specifically regarding periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) from 1986 to 1993. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been reopened, but the Board finds further development is required to determine if his sleep disorder is related to his military service or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a sleep disorder and neurological impairments of the lower extremities. The lumbar spine disability rating issue is also being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left hand, and left wrist disabilities. Service connection is also granted for a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology manifested as joint swelling.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to service-connected right hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The cases of sleep apnea, hypertension, and inguinal hernias are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted in a full grant of benefits effective April 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, so his claim of service connection for this condition must be denied. For the other conditions, the Board found that additional development is needed including examinations and etiology opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama during her period of ACDUTRA. The VA will provide appropriate examinations and determine if there is a relationship between these conditions and the in-service exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of a VA examination, and requests that updated treatment records be obtained.

The Veteran's left foot sesamoid fracture and lumbosacral strain are granted service connection, but the rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and psychiatric disorder, as well as the need for new examinations to assess the severity of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

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

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to Graves' disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and a right shoulder condition as the evidence does not support a link to active duty.

The appeal with respect to residuals of frostbite of the right foot is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, a right shoulder disability, a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and flat feet are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is required to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion.