Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, particularly his in-service exposure to burn pits and/or burning feces. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility to treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 was dismissed as they were rendered moot by the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress in a September 2023 rating decision. The appeal for sleep apnea, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral) was granted with effective dates starting from January 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal regarding PTSD resulted in a grant of a 70% rating but denial for an earlier effective date and higher rating.,Sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep impairment and diverticulosis due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and IBS are being remanded for further evaluation.,Specifically, the Board is requesting additional medical evidence to determine if higher ratings are warranted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and remanded the issues of service connection for Meniere's syndrome and Left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine and right leg disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neurogenic bladder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the presence or severity of an incapacitating episode.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The VA examiner found that his symptoms did not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there was no persuasive evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service onset of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD is granted as secondary to OSA, and his diabetes mellitus type II has an earlier effective date. The Veteran also received a grant of service connection for chronic renal disease with an earlier effective date, but the TDIU claim from January 6, 2021, is moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, and sleep apnea is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requests VA examinations to determine the onset of these conditions in service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence or requests for substitution.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a determination regarding asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a determination regarding asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea with obstructive and central components as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active duty service from June 2004 to November 2005, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.