Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Veteran's statements regarding the etiology of his conditions were considered but found insufficient due to lack of specialized training.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of uterine fibroids, hysterectomy as secondary to uterine fibroids, and MDD as secondary to hysterectomy. The lumbosacral strain issue is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) as it is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for sciatica of the left and right lower extremities, as well as his cervical spine disability, headache disability, shoulder disabilities, joint pain, and sleep apnea are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,The Board cannot make a fully informed decision on these claims without additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has decided that more information is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was related to his service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The PACT Act exposure assessment is also required.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased disability ratings. The Veteran's liver condition, high blood pressure, PTSD, stool and anus problems, obstructive sleep apnea, left leg/hip disorder, chest pain, cervical spine disorder, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim are all on remand.

The Board dismissed the appeal because service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted in a May 2021 rating decision, and no disagreement with the effective date or disability rating has been filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including high blood pressure, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, a low back disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and an unspecified respiratory condition. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD with bruxism.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing his contentions regarding chemical exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and sleep apnea, as well as claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of sufficient evidence and because the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during service needs to be evaluated further.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, including toxic exposure in the Persian Gulf. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records.,No effective date is provided as the appeal involves ongoing disability evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, increased ratings for major depressive disorder/dysthymia and TBI, post traumatic headaches, and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine. The VA examinations were canceled due to the Veteran being incarcerated.

The Board has remanded the claims for character of discharge, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hearing loss disability due to potential issues with the appellant's discharge from service.