Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection for chronic pain syndrome, an increased rating for acquired psychiatric disability, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are all pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The reduction of the bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from 30% to 10% is restored.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, TMJ, bilateral plantar fasciitis, rosacea, and left thumb sprain as these conditions are found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between her current conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied a compensable rating, as the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left elbow disorder were both denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to obtain medical nexus opinions regarding the etiology of his thoracolumbar spine disabilities, including spina bifida occulta. The AOJ must ensure that VA fulfills its duty to assist and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 20 percent rating from February 24, 2017 to July 9, 2020. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for character of discharge and service connection under Chapter 17 for PTSD, Sleep Apnea, Migraine Disability, and Hypertension due to potential issues with the appellant's UOTHC discharge from service.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's service connection for atrial fibrillation is remanded, with the opinion stating that it is less likely related to his service-connected PTSD and/or obesity.

The Board denied service connection for a migraine condition and sleep apnea as a result of asbestos exposure, finding no evidence to support the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches, lumbosacral spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran's service connection claim is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and sleep apnea. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded as there has been no medical opinion addressing the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no medical evidence of a nexus between his military service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the VA colonoscopy performed in June 2016 caused or worsened several of the Veteran's current health issues, including E. coli infection, bowel impairment, sleep apnea, abnormal heart rhythm (bradycardia and tachycardia), respiratory/lung impairment, throat impairment, and nerve damage. The Board has therefore remanded this case for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is causally related to his in-service maxillary set back procedure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals concerning neck arthritis, bilateral hand tremors, bilateral knee disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed as a result.