Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis, and service connection for a right big toe disability are both being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection, but a VA examination is required to determine if his current condition may be related to his active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because no substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a condition claimed as sinusitis, and a bilateral foot condition due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran reported symptoms of snoring, fragmented sleep, and choking during his sleep in service. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient information on what additional factual information would be required to determine if the Veteran had sleep apnea during service.

The Board found no medical opinion in favor of the Veteran's contention that his sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected respiratory disabilities. The Board concluded that it is not at least as likely as not that either the obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected COPD, chronic bronchitis, and/or pulmonary hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence showing that OSA began during active service or for many years thereafter, and it is not otherwise shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition originated during active service and is related to military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA examiner is requested to provide a new opinion on whether OSA had its onset in service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service. Additionally, the examiner should address whether OSA was caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to delays and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about his in-service stressors, exposure to asbestos or other toxins, and any available STRs. He must also undergo examinations for visual defect, mental health disorders, sleep apnea, and respiratory disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to service connection for left shoulder injury and rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain have not been conducted as per the May 2020 remand directives. The claims are therefore being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development and inadequate examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being evaluated again with additional medical records, a home sleep study, and an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to her service-connected disabilities, is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, sleep disability (including insomnia and OSA), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's back disability is being evaluated again, including a new VA examination and retrospective opinion.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea began during his active service in Iraq and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.