Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for PTSD prior to August 11, 2019. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the existence and etiology of a current respiratory disorder (other than obstructive sleep apnea) on a direct basis. The Veteran's in-service treatment for an upper respiratory infection in 1972 and current symptomology of the respiratory system are considered.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Organic Brain Syndrome, Cervical Spine Disability, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain was reduced from 40% to 20%, effective January 1, 2018. The reduction of ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is also granted.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and obstructive sleep apnea claims are being reviewed again due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral lower extremity disability due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and related symptoms. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service, including environmental exposures.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2019 VA examination, which concluded that there are no chronic back conditions diagnosed in service. The Veteran's representative argues for a new medical examination regarding a causal relationship between the back disability and service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left knee disability, and left ankle disability were evaluated. The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking it to service-connected PTSD. For the left knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied from April 19, 2011, to June 26, 2014; a rating in excess of 30 percent was denied from August 1, 2015, to November 25, 2022; and a rating in excess of 60 percent was denied from November 26, 2022. The Veteran's left ankle disability received a 20 percent rating. A TDIU was also denied prior to November 19, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and TDIU due to service-connected bulimia nervosa require further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his lumbar spine condition and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification of opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee arthroplasties. The Veteran contends that her altered gait and posture from her bilateral knee replacements caused or aggravated her low back condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA had its onset in service and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depression and anxiety.