Sleep apnea Board decisions

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for central sleep apnea associated with PTSD and alcohol abuse is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately related to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected left upper lobe lung cancer. The matter will be returned for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with obesity acting as an intermediary step.

The Board has remanded the claim for an evaluation greater than 60 percent prior to June 20, 1997, for post-discectomy and fusion of the lumbosacral spine due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's representative contends that the Veteran is entitled to staged ratings or a temporary total disability rating prior to June 20, 1997, based on his statements about severe functional limitations resulting in inability to work during portions of the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) began during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 3, 2021. After that date, his combined permanent and total schedular rating does not allow for additional TDIU benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence, including inadequate opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral pain status post L2-L5 fusion is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorder is denied. The hypertension claim has been remanded, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as there are procedural errors and need for additional evidence. The issue will be reconsidered with a focus on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee disability due to conflicting opinions regarding the preexistence and aggravation of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient nexus opinions and a failure to seek an addendum regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain service treatment records, specifically his separation exam, and provide an addendum from an appropriate clinician addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was directly related to his service, including exposure to asbestos, and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or etiology for either condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the claimant, and no service connection is granted for any condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's OSA. The AOJ is required to obtain authorization for private treatment records, provide an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, and determine if his service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA.