Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 10, 2014. The decision is based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected, and whether it was aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are denied. Arteriosclerotic heart disease to include coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, a stomach condition, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient supporting opinions in the prior remand.

Service connection granted for tinnitus. Service connection denied for supine obstructive sleep apnea.,Effective dates earlier than March 23, 2016 and November 8, 2016 for service connection of lumbar strain and pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his active-duty service, as well as its secondary etiology with his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The extension of a temporary total rating for lumbar spine surgery convalescence past August 1, 2012, is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of medical opinions. Service connection for unspecified arthritis (distinct from service-connected lumbar spine disability) is also remanded. The Veteran's residuals of a nasal fracture, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, lumbar strain, and lumbar spine scar are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU and SMC housebound effective August 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tension headaches have been granted, effective June 23, 2016. The appeals are dismissed as moot because the benefits sought on appeal have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and legal changes, including a presumption of exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar from gallbladder surgery was denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, as well as allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), were remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back condition and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from SSA and scheduling a VA examination.