Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected depressive disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and toxic exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran is also requested to undergo VA examinations to determine the etiology of his COPD and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded his claim for service connection for diabetes, which is related to PTSD.,The decision on appeal only addresses one of the two issues raised by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea disability. The Veteran is not yet provided with an examination to determine if his current sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left knee strain have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial decision and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteosarcoma and hepatitis B, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his service. The cause of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate was osteosarcoma.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinions provided in April and June 2022. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and tension headaches are all being remanded for further evaluation due to changes in their severity since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's liposarcoma and headache disorder are granted service connection, but his hepatic steatosis is denied. The case for the headache disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current condition had its onset during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence in several areas, including psychiatric disorders, polyneuropathy, back disability, and fibromyalgia. The hearing request is also noted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, neurological conditions, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its relationship to service-connected conditions and potential toxic exposure. The examiner is asked to determine if the condition may be due to a different service-connected disability or aggravated by obesity.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, colitis, and prostate cancer residuals are denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral elbow disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss need to be determined.,The 30 percent rating for scalp laceration needs to be reconsidered.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for vertigo and scalp laceration are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral DDD and LLE femoral radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examination.