Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's OSA had its onset during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher evaluation of GERD and service connection for sleep apnea due to the appellant's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, with no ankylosis noted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it was granted in a previous decision. The case of tinnitus is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for certain benefits were denied. The case was remanded for further development.,For the lumbosacral strain, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and granted service connection for it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competence of the VA examiner who provided an October 2022 opinion. The Veteran's representative challenged the qualifications of this examiner, and the appeal must be returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence of a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to his military service.,For contact dermatitis, a compensable rating (10%) was denied due to insufficient evidence of systemic therapy or other immunosuppressive drugs required during the past 12-month period.

Your total disability rating and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate have been granted, making your claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the cause of his obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of private and VA treatment records in previous etiology opinions. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities or if it was caused by obesity, which may be a secondary condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and a cognitive disability are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic diarrhea has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues, including increased ratings for PTSD and cold injury residuals, as well as claims for sleep apnea, heart murmur, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for lumbar strain/spasm prior to May 25, 2022 is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis/lumbar disability from May 25, 2022 is rated at 40%. The effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy is set at October 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, including obtaining missing VA examination reports and providing opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.