Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for another examination with a pulmonologist or sleep apnea specialist. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chest pain and left lung scarring, as well as medications prescribed for these conditions, are also under consideration.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, shortness of breath, headaches, and shoulder, neck, lumbar spine, and leg disabilities, should be remanded due to lack of reliable audiometric testing results and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The matter is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 30, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and further development is needed. The Veteran's OSA may be service connected as aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and/or medications.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation was incurred during his active service and is granted. The cardiac disability other than AFIB, including sinus bradycardia, ascending aorta dilatation, and aneurysm of the descending aorta, as well as OSA are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,Service connection was denied for gout, back condition, and COPD as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and depression, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's claims are pending and will be reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service. The VA will need to provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhabdomyolysis was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.,His OSA remains rated at 50 percent, with a denial of an increased rating. The Veteran reported symptoms but did not meet criteria for chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding his lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions, including during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted with some issues being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for its adverse decision and an inadequate VA opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and OSA, finding that there was not credible evidence of a traumatic in-service event leading to these conditions. The secondary claim for OSA was also denied due to lack of a service-connected underlying condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and its secondary effects, including sleep apnea, asthma, and hypertension. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a respiratory condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos, and chemicals during his military service.