Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of an acute lumbosacral strain and residuals of an acute cervical strain, finding that new and material evidence was submitted.,However, the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of acute atypical psychosis was denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, as well as deficiencies in medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder are found to be the proximate cause of his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also finds that these conditions may have contributed to his hypertension and GERD.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, and service connection for insomnia. The reasons include the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between medication prescribed for PTSD and OSA/insomnia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and surgical scars of the right knee. Additionally, the TDIU claim prior to August 16, 2018, is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an improper form used for filing a notice of disagreement, and it is now being considered under the legacy review system. The Veteran needs to be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) to appeal this decision.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities have a common etiology or are the result of a single accident, as this could potentially allow for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, but the VA examiner did not address whether it was aggravated by his other conditions. The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for further development due to inadequate examination and potential missing service treatment records.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia, IBS (also claimed as diverticulitis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran regarding his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran needs to provide VA with any outstanding relevant treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, respiratory disorder (other than sleep apnea), bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected Gulf War Syndrome is considered to be the cause of his blood in urine, bowel disability, upper respiratory disability, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, right hip, bilateral plantar fascitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 11, 2015 due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,Sleep apnea and headaches are denied as not related to service. Dizziness remains remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified stressors. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records, verifying in-service exposure to herbicides, and confirming reported stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.