Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and a rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve. The case is remanded for an addendum medical opinion regarding erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, hypertension, disability of the lower extremities (including restless leg syndrome and leg cramps), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) due to incomplete medical records and uncorroborated in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence on file. The VA will obtain updated medical records and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's alcohol abuse disorder and sleep apnea are aggravated by his service-connected conditions, leading to the grant of service connection for these issues. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy secondary to alcohol abuse.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee injury, degenerative disc disease (claimed as cervical neck injury), and sleep apnea due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The appeal seeking service connection for diarrhea is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for vertigo is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for a lower back disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,The appeal from that part of the July 2017 rating decision denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete employment information. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is being reviewed again, and his TDIU claim will be deferred until further development of these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral foot and wrist disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, vision disability, limitation of flexion and extension of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, and lower back conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral anterolisthesis resulted in forward flexion limited to 85 degrees prior to June 14, 2022. This does not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The examiner must consider post-service treatment records, a 1993 medical opinion, and other factors in determining causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to their relationship with the Veteran's military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral diabetic retinopathy secondary to DM, and obstructive sleep apnea is granted under the PACT Act. Ratings are assigned for knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that it was not incurred in service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent effective March 18, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted effective on the same date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression), and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was granted. The low back disability received increased ratings, while other claims were remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical DDD, C5-C6, have been granted increased evaluations.,Separate evaluations for LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, and RUE radiculopathy have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims for migraines are also remanded as there is no opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.