Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's accrued benefits claims, including determining whether his elder daughter is an eligible substitute and whether his sleep apnea, right hip disability, and left hip disability are service-connected. The Board also found that a new opinion was needed regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radulopathy due to inadequate examination reports. The issues are now before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and sleep apnea due to exposure to burn pits during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and lower extremity radiculopathy were rated based on their current manifestations, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating due to its more severe nature.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and his current OSA. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obesity was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's deviated nasal septum and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) including as secondary to a deviated nasal septum.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his in-service experiences and his current condition.

The Veteran's right ankle strain, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are all being remanded for further development.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his claim for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a sinus condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their onset during service or relation to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by swollen joints, finding that her current condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disability is found to have begun during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and attributing any present condition to post-service events. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and restless leg syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for tinnitus, but his sleep apnea remains at the 50% level. Other conditions remain denied.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied both claims on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for OSA, IBS, and GERD due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection theories.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (major depression with anxious distress).