Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand disability, or left hand disability for VA purposes.,As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence showing the condition began during or soon after active duty service, and the VA examiner concluded that OSA is not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, and there were no incapacitating episodes associated with the disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and a back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his skin condition, sleep apnea, and spinal cord injury with severe arthritis. The case is also inextricably intertwined with his claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for seborrheic dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded as they may be related to Gulf War exposure or burn pit exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records from the Detroit VA Medical Center prior to 2008. The AOJ must obtain these records and ensure they are associated with the claims folder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been granted. Additionally, the Veteran is now eligible for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning December 13, 2016.,However, the Veteran's prior request for TDIU prior to December 13, 2016 remains under review and will be remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability and sleep apnea were initially denied. New evidence was submitted, reopening the claims. However, both conditions were still not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand and foot conditions, as well as obstructive sleep apnea due to potential exposure to burn pits during service. The claims are being returned for further development including medical examinations.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's OSA, insomnia and memory loss disability, right hip and thigh disability, left hip and thigh disability, right knee disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and respiratory disability claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability is granted. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for TBI and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination. The OSA claim is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on whether it is related to service or toxic exposure, while the finger condition claim requires an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions.