Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new PACT Act requirements for toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction require further development due to incomplete records and a need for medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder prior to July 27, 2022 is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lateral femoral neuropathy and right lateral femoral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left shoulder surgery scars is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for left shoulder nerve damage is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals of ratings in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of left (minor) shoulder surgery based upon limitation of motion and impairment of the humerus are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, shin splints, and right knee disability. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The VA is required to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions based on total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments, including the synergistic effect of all TERA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking his claimed conditions to active service or herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded several issues related to knee and hip disorders.

The Veteran's initial rating for dislocation of the left shoulder is denied, and a 20 percent rating is granted from April 16, 2016. The appeal on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of adequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the claim as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for sleep apnea, secondary to Multiple Sclerosis has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was not reopened and denied. The claims for increased ratings for his knees were granted, but the issue of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea remains pending.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's military service is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The claim for a left index finger condition was denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, and right knee disabilities are related to his service. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions have been diagnosed or if they are due to his service.,The Veteran's OSA claim will be remanded as a VA medical opinion is necessary to address whether it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA, as these issues are intertwined with the previous denial. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is evaluated at a 50% rating prior to June 30, 2022 and at a 70% rating thereafter. The Board denied an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for OSA and left knee condition are remanded as the VA examinations did not address the Veteran's claims in full.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, lung disorder (to include bronchitis), and sleep apnea are not related to service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and left foot disorders, as well as initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, left ankle arthritis, and rosacea are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it is due to his service-connected nasal fracture (claimed as deviated septum).