Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus and chronic headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for memory loss, a neurological condition, diabetes, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and unspecified osteoarthritis of multiple joints is remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his current condition is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected aphonia. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion from an ENT specialist.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner. The Veteran's current OSA is being reviewed again with additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral arm disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The remaining claims for joint pain, knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claim for sleep apnea remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and clarification due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence addressing whether any of her service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which may be a substantial factor in causing the conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Board will address his increased rating claims from October 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, bowel condition, hemorrhoids, and hair loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bowel condition, hemorrhoids, and hair loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back disability and sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, OSA, and emphysema have been denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and lumbosacral strain did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 17, 2020. Therefore, the claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with strain, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to seizure disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the June 2021 VA examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his active-duty service. The AOJ is instructed to provide a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the issues regarding his back condition and headaches have been remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, heart disorder, prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back injury due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the VA examiner's inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and if it was caused or aggravated by any of his other service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner needs to provide a thorough opinion addressing these issues, including considering the medical articles provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, back disability, bilateral foot disability, and chest pain are all found to have originated during service. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is dismissed because the claim was granted in a separate rating decision. The appeal regarding obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.