Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations and medical opinions to address his lumbar spine disorder, ankle disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all five issues related to various injuries and conditions, including right knee disorder, left knee disorder, TBI residuals, headaches, and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disability and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all rated as they were originally. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including depression, back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and kidney disease. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or undergo medical examinations regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to ambiguities in medical opinions and inconsistencies with prior examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, angina, and a skin condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 15, 2018; rather his nonservice-connected disabilities contributed to his unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability or other basis for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and residuals of a concussion due to new evidence provided by his representative. The case will be reassessed, including consideration of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded issues related to heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression), hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected back, knee, and hip disabilities caused or aggravated his weight gain/obesity, which in turn contributed to his sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.