Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his periods of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which may be related to her service or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's TBI is related to military service, including as a result of boxing. The decision on sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has found that there have been insufficient opportunities for VA examinations and requires additional examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, including any bladder incontinence or left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to lack of documented treatment during service and inconclusive medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for left femur malunion and right femur malunion have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions related to his service.,Service connection has been granted for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected PTSD, but the Veteran does not have separate ratings for right knee limitation of extension or instability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis are related to his active service, granting entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 6, 2016.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, low back disability, neck disability, shoulder disability, lung disability to include COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's L4-5 and L5-S1 disc herniation and intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral spinal stenosis, specifically whether it is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxious distress (acquired psychiatric disorders). The claims for neck disability, back disability, and headaches have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia disorder), lumbosacral strain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, leftward septal deviation, nose and neck scars, and urinary disability (manifested by increased frequency).,The Board found the evidence to be approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DD Form 214 and other documentation verifying his service from 1990-1999 are missing, and therefore remands for further efforts to obtain this information. The Veteran is also scheduled for an examination to determine if any of his current disabilities (sleep apnea, sinusitis, right shoulder, neck, bilateral foot nerve compression, and bilateral shin) had their onset during or are related to a period of active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected autoimmune disorder to include rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in the need for aid and attendance of another, as evidenced by his inability to perform daily activities independently due to joint pain, swelling, and weakness. He requires assistance with bathing, grooming, and keeping himself clean and presentable.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted initial disability ratings.,PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for headaches, a lung condition including asthma, and sleep apnea due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) report. The Veteran's military personnel records indicate he worked as an auto weapons crewman, gunner, and cannoneer with an artillery battery and as a heavy truck driver during his active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the duration of the period on appeal, from March 1, 2020, is granted. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for Bilateral Restless Leg Syndrome to include as secondary to service-connected OSA.