Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been granted. The right ankle and right shoulder disability claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is requested to be examined by VA to determine if his sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise related to such service.

The Board has found errors in the prior decision and remanded both issues of service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a TERA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU were granted. The increased evaluation for lumbar spine disability was denied, and the service connection for heart condition and TDIU matters are remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for service connection of left knee, right knee, right elbow, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea, specifically related to exposure during service. The Veteran asserts that their sleep apnea is linked to exposure to toxic substances in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding private medical records, and the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol use disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder.

The Board has corrected the docketing error and is now proceeding with the legacy appeal processes. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinion provided in response to the remand was inadequate and requires additional addendum opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's use of systemic high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications for his service-connected asthma with sleep apnea during the appeal period.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders. The claims for arthritis and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $23,484.38 was proper and this appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for a forehead scar and certificate of eligibility for special home adaptation have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a bladder disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral strain disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service or to another service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the current low back disability is not related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's IBS is idiopathic and unrelated to his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral flatfoot are both found to be related to their service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, but has found insufficient evidence to determine if his left knee condition is secondary to his right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and opinion.