Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as the potential impact of his psychotropic medications on his obesity.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for obesity. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened. The Board finds that a remand is warranted to obtain missing STRs and private treatment records, as well as to schedule VA examinations for the left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical and lumbar disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the respiratory disabilities and whether obesity is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners supported the denial, citing lack of chronicity during or after service and alternative causes such as post-service work activities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to fine, particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a misunderstanding of the Veteran's military service history and the presence of certain back conditions. The VA examiner needs to provide new opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and missing records. Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability, including flare-ups and functional loss during flares. Additionally, a retrospective assessment of his employability is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied, as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a link between these conditions and active service. The right knee condition claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision disability have been dismissed. Her back disability has been granted service connection. The remaining issues of left knee tendonitis with knee instability, right knee tendonitis with knee instability, skin condition, and acid reflux are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of obstructive sleep apnea by the service-connected sinusitis and denied service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current lumbar spine disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder is related to his service or service-connected disabilities, specifically obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service and is denied as the evidence does not support a connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability. The increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain and bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis are also being addressed.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity neurologic disabilities are denied as secondary to service-connected low back disability.,Service connection for the right and left lower extremity neurologic disabilities is not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.