Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically regarding the Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the high rating claim for the low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased ratings for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and events during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and right lateral collateral strain because the claims were received more than one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active duty or in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has not substantially complied with its previous remand, as it did not receive an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted service connection.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and menstrual disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with foraminal annual tear and disc protrusion, L5-S1. The other issues of service connection for wrist disabilities and a shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his military service, specifically during his deployments in Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 20, 2011, for service connection of OSA is granted. The claim for a higher initial rating for OSA remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, paranasal condition, and sleep apnea as these conditions are found to have had their onset during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the November 2019 examination report regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess their back condition, including detailed range of motion testing results and an explicit description of any pain observed.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.,Service connection claims for high lead in bone marrow, sleep apnea, and low testosterone were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral flat feet, a bilateral shoulder condition, asthma, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee conditions are being remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and cause of these disabilities.,Your current hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.