Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea, are related to his active duty service or exposure to burn pits. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on both issues.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and increased ratings for his left knee disability. The remand is due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and sacroiliitis was granted a 20 percent rating from January 17, 2017 to October 11, 2022. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of these levels.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, oropharyngeal cancer, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction is denied.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as acid reflux) and chronic constipation is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The issues of initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right feet, as well as service connection for OSA are remanded.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, GERD, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether this resulted in sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder. The claims of service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection and rating appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently working full-time and participating in training, with no evidence of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected low back disability and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the prior remand instructions for both low back disorder and obstructive sleep apnea service connection claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, sleep disorder other than insomnia, and body aches. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his military service and is granted as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, numbness of the upper right extremity and a neck disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for unexplained memory loss/transient global amnesia (also claimed as unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness) is being remanded due to new evidence received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of sleep apnea to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to active service or his service-connected PTSD.