Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, but additional evidence is needed to determine if the PTSD caused or aggravated the obesity and whether this played a substantial role in causing the sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for LLE DVT is denied.,The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for LLE DVT prior to February 8, 2020, is denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for PVD to include sleep apnea prior to February 8, 2020, is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings of 20 percent are assigned for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected Meniere's Disease.,Service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and potential association with a service-connected disability.,Service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (claimed as chest pain) is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment records.,Service connection for bladder incontinence is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and potential association with a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment records.,Service connection for ischemic stroke is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by the February 2020 VA examiner. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, OSA, and GERD are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development related to potential toxic exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and hiatal hernia (claimed as GERD) have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, HTN, and other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS is remanded due to the need for additional development, including an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for psychiatric, lumbar spine, and sleep disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and memory loss due to potential service connection issues, including a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection based on exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea and left ankle disability remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and left leg below the knee amputation, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions. The claim for secondary service connection based on service-connected right hip, right knee, and/or right ankle disorders was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left shin splints, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examination reports.,VA will obtain additional medical records from private providers and conduct further examinations to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, rosacea, is currently rated as noncompensable prior to October 23, 2017 and 30 percent from that date. The knees are currently rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's chondromalacia patella with arthritis of both knees does not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities (PTSD), due to inadequate examination and opinions provided by VA. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination to address the onset and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for loss of smell, loss of taste, nasal cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea need to be remanded due to deficiencies in the obtained medical opinions.