Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The primary issue is whether obesity, which may be an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his OSA, caused or aggravated the Veteran's OSA. Additional development is needed to address this question.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity (caused by his service-connected back disability and major depressive disorder) is an intermediate step in causing his current sleep apnea. Service connection for obesity was denied as it is not a compensable condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral foot disability due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional personnel records, and a new examination and opinion are needed regarding the etiology of his current back condition and pes planus.

The Veteran's employment ended in December 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities, including anxiety and migraine headaches. The AOJ needs to complete further development regarding the Veteran's employment history before deciding on the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the evidence does not support a link between PTSD and OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for diaphragmatic paralysis and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and reductions of disability ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and the need for further development regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient objective data and lack of addressing ankylosis in previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clarity on causation.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, cervical spine, left ankle, right knee, and left knee conditions have been granted.,These issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and headaches, as the previous opinions were inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected left heel disability and scar are rated at 30 percent, while PTSD and OSA are granted with a 10 percent rating. The appeal is granted for all issues.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to a failure to consider the Veteran's in-service symptoms and the November 2020 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for vision loss, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder (arthritis to the entire joint system), obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), erectile dysfunction, and skin disorder due to new evidence added to his claims file.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea syndrome and an initial compensable rating prior to March 3, 2022, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for COPD due to incomplete records and need for new medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not adequately address whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it is related to his active military service.