Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right hip, left hip and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted service connection. His hypertension is also granted as secondary to PTSD. Sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to assess his service-connected back disability, sciatica, respiratory disorder other than obstructive sleep apnea or rhinitis (claimed as bronchitis), and Meniere's Syndrome. The claims are being remanded for these evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about the relationship between service-connected COPD and/or obesity, which may be related to sleep apnea. Additional development is needed to clarify this.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of lumbosacral strain, hypertension, and a foot disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and decisions need to be reviewed again, as per previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relation to service, Gulf War exposure, or his gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has determined that the current VA medical opinion is insufficient and remands for a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea began in service or is otherwise related to his active service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of plantar warts (claimed as HPV).,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of OSA.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of asthma.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of a back disorder.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the right leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the left leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left index finger limitation of range of motion with lacerated digital nerve is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for scar of the left index finger pad is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for allergic conjunctivitis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

Service connection for back disability is granted.,Service connection for neck disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are denied. Service connection for neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, and ulcerative colitis as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after active service. The Veteran's reported exposures to herbicides were not verified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues being denied or remanded. The Veteran received a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain prior to July 28, 2022, and an increase in the rating of his left ankle disorder from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his right knee disability, as well as service connection for a herniated naval. The initial rating for chronic obstructive sleep apnea and bronchitis with calcified hilar lymph node remains denied.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50% from August 31, 2015 to September 23, 2017 and at 70% thereafter. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for OSA.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracic spine arthritis is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and pulmonary disorder are remanded as the Veteran has not yet been examined for these conditions.,Service connection for heart disorder and chronic fatigue are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether these disorders are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected insomnia caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right knee, left ankle, sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea), left shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to in-service parachute jumps or undiagnosed illnesses/chronic multisymptom illnesses, as well as considering the impact of obesity caused by service-connected disabilities on his current symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating will be remanded so that addendum opinions can address the issues raised by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and its relation to her service. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to obtain an adequate opinion.