Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected asthma. The OSA is found to be aggravated by his asthma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder. Service connection is granted for this condition. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded due to lack of a VA opinion.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) from February 15, 2023. The Veteran's other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to wait the full 90 days prior to issuing its decision. The Veteran's OSA is related to service, but weight gain from his service-connected disabilities may be a substantial factor in causing his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim, hypertension claim, erectile dysfunction claim, lower back condition claim, migraine headaches claim, right knee condition claim, and left knee condition claim are all being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding earlier effective dates for the grants of a Total Disability Rating due to Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is remanded. The RO should send the Veteran a Statement of the Case (SOC) as to these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a back disability, including whether it is related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as OSA secondary to PTSD. Service connection is denied for memory loss.,Service connection was established based on chronic in-service symptoms that have persisted post-service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and residual scar of pilonidal cyst removal were received by VA on September 22, 2015. The Board denied the requests for effective dates prior to this date.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain was also remanded.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for skin rash, headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and plantar fasciitis have been denied. The request to reopen these claims has been granted.,The Veteran's previously denied claim for sleep apnea has been reopened and is now considered granted. The previously denied claim for hypertension has also been reopened and is now considered granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claim and remands for further development, including obtaining retrospective range of motion estimates.

The Veteran's skin condition and obstructive sleep apnea claims are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obesity, which is a component in determining whether his service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities cause or aggravate his obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code, for heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, mental health conditions, sleep apnea (lung condition), and tinnitus. The VA is required to provide a VA medical examination due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding causation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from private providers and former employers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.