Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected deviated septum aggravated his nonservice-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to address this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including a lack of medical opinions on the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial adjudication, and will need new examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise related to Gulf War environmental hazard exposure.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's lumbosacral facet arthritis with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine prior to October 22, 2008. The remand requires obtaining a retrospective medical opinion that substantially complies with the April 2022 Board remand instructions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and left leg pain and edema due to a lack of current disability related to these conditions. The issues of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain was granted with an effective date of August 9, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of evidence from his active-duty service period.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be the result of his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and thus granted secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant STRs being added to the file after the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically missing medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain authorization for private treatment records from Dr. S. B. at Northwestern Medicine and request an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active duty service and secondary to his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The AOJ must obtain a VA examination and medical opinion to address these theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a VA examination prior to denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The PACT Act requires an opinion on whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and toxic exposure risk activities, including TERA.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for a pinched nerve in the neck. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error in the VA medical opinions and remands the case for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the decision and new evidence. The Veteran's OSA will be reviewed based on TERA exposure during service, and a medical opinion is needed regarding whether it was incurred or caused by service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected social anxiety disorder, burn pits exposure, and his current sleep apnea. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.