Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection effective June 27, 2018. The Board finds that an earlier effective date of December 30, 2016 is warranted based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence.,Remands are issued for further development regarding service connection claims for intestinal condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), right knee disability, left knee disability, rating in excess of 30 percent for trauma and stressor related disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner needs to provide a comprehensive rationale for their opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including lumbosacral radiculitis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region, is not service-connected as it did not have its onset in service or due to a service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent effective June 9, 2018. Other conditions are also granted.

Service connection is granted for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis status post total replacement, left knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal tear repair, right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear status post total replacement, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, right lateral epicondylitis, left lateral epicondylitis, neck pain, lumbar spine DJD, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a compensable disability rating has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and/or a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his symptoms during active duty and post-service align with his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, associated with his service-connected major depressive disorder, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a chronic left eye disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to incomplete development of medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, CAD, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability may be related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck arthritis may be related to his military service. Further development is needed to obtain all available service treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in medical opinions and missing audiometry test results. The issues include sleep apnea, right knee strain, right hand condition, left hand condition, and cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, DM, and left hallux valgus deformity due to their potential secondary relationship with the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The issues are being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea and obesity. The AOJ is instructed to obtain opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder other than cold urticaria, finding no evidence of a current condition and noting that any symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy cases are also being remanded to clarify the nature of his disabilities and their severity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and has also granted service connection for OSA as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an appropriate TERA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to various issues, including asbestos exposure and its relation to sarcoidosis, as well as his bilateral ankle disabilities and hearing loss. The VA is directed to conduct further development in these areas.