Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected seizure disorder, but a VA examination is needed to determine this relationship and whether it qualifies for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for other stressor-related disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, left hip arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, thyroid disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and gynecomastia. The claims are currently pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a heart disability, including coronary artery disease due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, as well as any aggravation by that condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and hemorrhoids were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical records and an inadequate VA opinion, requiring further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for TMJ disorder is remanded due to insufficient examination and the need for additional testing. The issues of secondary service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine injury residuals with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea and the TDIU claim were also addressed, but further development is required due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, low testosterone with erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder, and heart disease. The need for VA examinations in these cases is indicated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

Your claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or asbestos exposure.,Specifically, the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is unrelated to his in-service asbestos exposure and that his sleep apnea is more likely due to obesity rather than his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and low back disabilities. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and have persisted since then.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for Parkinson's disease and sleep apnea.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease and sleep apnea are both remanded due to lack of evidence establishing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases for not considering newly created VA evidence in the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his condition began during active military service.