Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder and tinnitus.,The claim for left knee strain was reopened, and the Veteran's current condition is now considered secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder, chronic lumbar strain, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The VA must obtain additional opinions on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet). The Veteran's claims for hypertension and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased rating for depression, service connection for OSA and ED, and TDIU due to their interrelated nature. Additional medical examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions and determine if they are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is required to provide an opinion addressing whether the condition was present or had its onset during service, considering the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, residuals of right and left ankle sprains, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knee due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder and keloids due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted service connection as it began during active service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and evidence in support.,Lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and arachnoid cyst of the brain are not granted as they occurred during a period where the Veteran was barred from VA benefits.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied due to already having the maximum schedular rating available.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is dismissed as it was severed effective December 29, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from March 6, 2015. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also granted. From March 6, 2015, the Veteran is granted entitlement to a total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and asthma, which are already established. The Board finds that the evidence supports this relationship.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not have a direct link to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic urinary tract infection is granted. The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea may be related to her service, and a remand is ordered for further evaluation of whether it was caused or aggravated by her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria and aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding his functional impairment.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the February 2023 Board remand requests and therefore, this claim must again be remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current back condition and his service-connected foot and/or knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and limitation of motion have been remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral ankle, knee, and OSA disabilities. Service connection has also been granted for left ear hearing loss but denied for right ear hearing loss.,Remaining issues of service connection are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been presented, specifically regarding a kidney disability. The issues of throat pain and difficulty breathing are also being remanded.

Your claim for service connection for your back disability has been resolved, and you are now receiving a 20% rating effective February 13, 2023. Your appeal is dismissed as moot because the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.