Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected tinnitus or psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence, but remanded it for further development and opinion regarding whether his current diagnosis is secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and an esophagus condition, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. Service connection for osteomyelitis was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are rated at 20 percent before March 16, 2021, but denied for a rating greater than 40 percent beginning March 16, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating he no longer wished to pursue the claims for service connection or rating increases. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for sleep apnea, asthma, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU prior to March 7, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hysterectomy and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened, but the Board has determined that these claims must be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence showing a diagnosis or treatment of sleep apnea during his active duty. The Veteran claimed he began experiencing symptoms after leaving service but provided insufficient medical evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, eczema of the bilateral upper extremities and hands, scarring alopecia (perifolliculitis capitis abscedens), and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) facial have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to any incident or injury of service. The Veteran's reported symptoms are not indicative of sleep apnea and the VA examiner found no link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected rhinitis, finding that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. The claims for sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension are remanded as additional opinions are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an improper filing of a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) and requires issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum is found to be a contributing factor in his current obstructive sleep apnea, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TMJ disability, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been granted. The decision also denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is remanded due to new evidence showing chronic back pain since discharge. Other claims are also remanded for VA examinations and opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and sleep apnea. For bilateral pes planus, a VA examination is needed to determine if it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. For sleep apnea, a new medical opinion is required to address whether it was caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder.