Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and an incomplete medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, specifically to ensure all records related to the Veteran's treatment through the VA community care program are associated with the claims file. The issues of increased rating and TDIU remain in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an updated opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including potential exposure to toxins and obesity caused by service-connected disabilities.

The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for COPD, residuals of tuberculosis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The left shoulder disorder rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder).

The Veteran's claims for prostate and urinary disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The Board has remanded cases involving left knee, right knee, gallbladder, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral blepharitis disabilities due to service in Southwest Asia or secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding this issue and granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure. His sleep apnea and right hand fibroma (originally claimed as skin cancer) are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues due to insufficient evidence and will require further examination.,Service connection was not granted for a bilateral eye condition, headache condition, sinus condition, low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, colon condition, GERD, heart condition, hypertension, and OSA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current disability did not have its onset during service and was not related to any in-service exposures or conditions.

The Veteran's eye disorder, including macular degeneration, loss of visual acuity, and loss of visual field, is granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and sleep apnea are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to January 11, 2015 was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, migraines/headaches, hypertension, and left knee disability due to incomplete development under the PACT Act and other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no medical nexus between the condition and his military service. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is granted with a 30 percent rating prior to February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is rated at 20 percent, effective June 9, 2023. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS (lumbar spine disability) is denied. An initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted beginning April 13, 2019. Throughout the appeal period, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to October 5, 2019 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions have been remanded.