Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's motor tic disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service. The Veteran's onychomycosis with seborrheic dermatitis is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but he contends it is more severe. The Board finds the record incomplete and remands for additional medical records to be obtained.

The Board has vacated its September 2020 decision and remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory, sleep apnea, heart failure, implantable defibrillator, hypertension, esophageal condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and psychiatric disorders. The issues are now in a state of pending status.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, thoracic spine disability, right lower extremity peripheral nerve disability, and left lower extremity peripheral nerve disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not related to his in-service back injury.,Service connection was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and meniscal tear of the right knee are remanded due to outstanding medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity being an intermediate step between his obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased disability ratings for various Parkinson's Disease manifestations, including speech changes, stooped posture, tremors, and muscle rigidity, is remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the impact of his sleep apnea on these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to address all relevant treatment records, including those from Dr. K.P., and will review these records in the first instance.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, right flat foot, left flat foot, lower back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders have been reopened. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been reopened.,However, the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae (also claimed as dermatology), residuals of chicken pox, and pneumonia remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inconsistencies in obtaining a nexus opinion and the need for further development of the obesity issue.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or if it was caused by obesity, which may be connected to his service. The claim will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is dismissed. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, reopened due to new and material evidence, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding both direct and secondary service connection for a sleep related disability, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia. The Veteran contends that his current sleep disorders are related to his military service or are aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea, specifically addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 27, 2014. The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2019. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, sleep apnea, and service connection for an eye disorder (dry eyes) due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide complete copies of his Reserve service records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and systemic arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The appeals seeking to reopen service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea on the basis of new and material evidence have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The issue is remanded.