Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and restless leg syndrome as well as a TDIU due to lack of response from the Veteran or his representative. The appeal is also remanded for new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or any other condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity and thus contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in her VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected asthma and remands for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected chronic kidney disease with hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and he currently receives a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA had its onset during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The right knee, right hip, left ankle, and low back disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for rheumatoid arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claims for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are remanded to obtain a VA examination to clarify whether they are related to service-connected PTSD or other medical conditions.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is remanded to determine the cause of her weight gain, which may be due to medications prescribed for PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for liver disease is remanded to determine if it was caused by weight gain due to medications prescribed for PTSD and lack of motivation to exercise due to PTSD. Service connection cannot be established as no direct link to service has been found.,The Veteran's claim for cerebral aneurysm rupture is remanded to determine if it was related to hypertension, which is already service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his hearing loss conditions due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his undiagnosed respiratory disorder. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral spine strain and service connection for bilateral bunion formation were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or service connection due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorder, acid reflux, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim was granted, and the left ankle tendonitis rating is also being remanded.,The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder with agoraphobia, MDD, and alcohol and cannabis use disorder in remission continues to affect his employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during his active service period and insufficient medical opinion to support secondary service connection due to asthma.