Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal acid reflux disorder (GERD) as secondary to service-connected left and right ankle arthritis, but the issues regarding obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and sinusitis due to conflicting opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected post nasoseptal deviation with allergic rhinitis. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis claim is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is remanded due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right hand disability and left hand disability claims are remanded for a VA examination addressing the nature of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hidradenitis, pruritus, and rosacea. The VA examinations provided were found to be conclusory and require further clarification.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, PTSD, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, and IBS prior to November 10, 2021 are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hip iliopsoas tendonitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left elbow condition have been granted. Service connection for right shoulder condition is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to various conditions, including right knee condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, sleep apnea, cervical spine condition, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and acquired psychological conditions to include depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection on a secondary basis. The claims are remanded to obtain updated medical opinions addressing both causation and aggravation of these conditions by toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain service treatment records and VA clinical documentation, as well as a VA examination for his left fifth finger fracture residuals.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and coronary artery disease are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for hypertension is reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and related medications.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is related to his in-service injury and is not due to post-service incidents.

The appeal is granted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back condition. The earlier effective date for tinnitus remains denied as no new evidence was submitted within one year after service separation.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 24, 2009 to February 11, 2013, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of her medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability is reopened, and the claims for sleep apnea, back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral IVDS, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.