Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder and duodenal ulcer with gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis and his OSA. The Veteran contends that his OSA is secondary to obesity caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, and headache disorder due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected atrial fibrillation disability and whether his sleep apnea and headache disorder are related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU prior to June 5, 2019 due to insufficient development. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, left and right lower extremity disabilities, ED, left arm/left shoulder disability, and OSA. The issues are related to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional private treatment records, and a VA examination must be conducted to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gynecomastia, and scarring status post gynecomastia has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the latter two conditions but denied for the former. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's migraines are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current condition did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hallux valgus of feet, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 27, 2012. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD and/or left knee disabilities is granted. The rating claim for lumbar strain with bilateral L5 spondylolysis and retrolisthesis prior to October 9, 2018, and higher than 20 percent thereafter remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Restless Leg Syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of Insomnia at the time of the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained on remand are inadequate and requires additional opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) and sleep disorders (including OSA and insomnia).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as VA did not receive a valid claim prior to June 15, 2015.,Claims for service connection for various conditions were previously denied in final rating decisions dated October 2006 and March 2009. The Veteran's claims have been reopened but no new evidence was submitted within one year of these decisions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA examiner must address whether OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left calf scar, and skin lesions are denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to military service.