Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea because the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for various disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if VA followed proper procedures in scheduling his examinations, which could affect the assigned effective dates.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it began during his military service and is related to environmental exposure in service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it may be related to active duty and/or secondary to service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes there are missing records from the Veteran's reserve service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar strain disability. The case of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded.

The Veteran's dizziness is granted as service-connected due to his service-connected PTSD and medications.,The Veteran's headache condition, including blurry vision, is remanded for further evaluation regarding its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to lack of current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as well as its relationship to his service-connected back disability. The examiner is asked to provide additional opinions on these matters.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disability, to include left hip trochanteric pain syndrome. The low back and left hand/thumb disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with mild disc protrusion from August 28, 2014 to December 16, 2019. The claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension were granted. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded several issues including bilateral hip disability other than arthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of previous VA medical opinions and a need for new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide a list of all healthcare providers he received treatment from since 1990, including VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep apnea and his service-connected multiple sclerosis, rhinitis, and potential exposure to burn pits.