Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to November 9, 2015. A rating of 20 percent is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of specific findings regarding Fairchild Air Force Base records and an alternate theory of service connection involving presumptive exposure. The Veteran's back condition is being examined again with consideration for this new information.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back and right hip conditions, as these are related to his right knee disability. The decision also notes that there may be outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of medical records. The VA is instructed to obtain additional information from the Social Security Administration and provide a VA opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to potential worsening of his bilateral knee condition, PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from the Prescott VA and Phoenix VA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee condition, left knee condition, and vertigo due to incomplete development. The Veteran's request for a hearing was withdrawn, and the Court ordered further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requiring a tracheostomy.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for a chronic headache disorder and obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,An initial rating of 70 percent for bipolar disorder has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and sleep apnea due to inadequate previous examination opinions that did not consider the Veteran's contentions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient exposure information and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran seeks service connection for his sleep apnea, which he claims is related to environmental exposures during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The respiratory disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a respiratory condition during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest during active duty and was not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, shin splints affecting the right leg, GERD, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), and to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis and sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and the weight of the medical evidence does not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,For erectile dysfunction, the Board requested an addendum opinion to clarify whether it is related to active duty or environmental exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset and continuity of the Veteran's back disability, as well as the relationship between his service-connected back disability and his claimed neuropathies.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus has been granted. The decision also includes remanded issues regarding hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a TDIU based on PTSD.