Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is aggravated by a service-connected disability. Updated VA treatment records are needed, as well as new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction in the rating assigned for hypothyroidism, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder with rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted. TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than hypothyroidism was granted effective from February 23, 2015 to September 19, 2019, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 23, 2015.

All service connection claims for various conditions are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was initially diagnosed in 2016 and the Board found no evidence of its onset during active service or any other connection to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. The claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include plantar fasciitis and pes planus, has been reopened based on new evidence. A 20% disability rating for spondylosis, residuals of lumbar strain with arthritis, effective from December 9, 2013, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, attributing it to service based on the most probative medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and right upper extremity disabilities are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current disability of sleep apnea in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of right and left elbow disabilities, ankle trauma, sleep apnea, eye trauma, and a left shoulder disability were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder and for a lower extremity disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome) as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder, finding that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran was resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to inadequate examinations and insufficient medical evidence of record.

The Board has ordered a VA examination for the Veteran to determine if he has obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to service or service-connected bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claim will be remanded until this examination can be completed.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for migraines and obstructive sleep apnea, as they relate to the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The Regional Office is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions from Dr. H.S., who previously provided positive nexus opinions on both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.,Radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted with a rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and sleep apnea. The claims are inextricably intertwined with hypertension.