Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including whether it was caused by his service, particularly his conceded burn pit exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions and considering obesity as an intermediate step, is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disability and mood changes, including his Gulf War service. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during active service and concluding that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that it had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, low back disorder, headaches, diverticulitis, and bilateral restless leg syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the May 2012 VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for new VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in the lumbar spine, including degenerative arthritis and DDD, is granted. The issue of service connection for TBI residuals is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinion and incomplete duty status information. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including OSA, must be evaluated based on her active duty service alone.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in the VA examiner's report regarding the Veteran's reports of symptoms and their relation to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, as well as sleep apnea and chronic fatigue. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for fatigue, headaches, neurological problems, OSA, cardiovascular symptoms, skin disability, and respiratory disorder due to unclear etiology and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right sciatic radiculopathy, left sciatic radiculopathy, and lumbosacral strain due to new evidence received since the last prior adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which was originally part of his appeal. The case will be returned for further development and a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity resulting from his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder, GERD, sleep apnea syndromes, and hypertension due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.,The Board is requesting further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right foot/ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity piriformis syndrome from April 29, 2016 to June 4, 2017 are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea with insomnia and back and knee disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders have been resolved as they are no longer on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.