Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbosacral disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and asthma due to unclear medical opinions regarding their etiology and potential aggravation by service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Board has determined that the March 2020 VA examination did not provide a fully informed decision on the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and thus, remands the case for an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during service, which is required by the PACT Act. The claim will be reconsidered with an updated examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided the appeal and has ordered additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Board did not make a determination on the merits of any claims.

The Board has directed the AOJ to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's sleep apnea and to obtain updated treatment records. The Veteran is also advised that it is his responsibility to cooperate in the development of his case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease from May 18, 2022, and service connection for a psychiatric disability arising from her claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not address the questions asked by the Board and does not provide sufficient information to decide the claim for service connection. Therefore, a new VA opinion is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to traumatic arthritis of the right knee and post-operative ligament injury of the right knee at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. New and material evidence was received to reopen claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board also found no evidence of a secondary relationship between the service-connected left shoulder disability and the current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and the issue of service connection for heart disease was remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and another remand of these issues is required. The Veteran contends his OSA had its onset during service, but the VA examiner's opinion does not address this contention or provide an adequate rationale for the negative conclusions.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and colon cancer. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and OSA due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete service treatment and personnel records, and need for medical examinations.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with its prior remand orders regarding scheduling of medical examinations for the Veteran's service connection claims. The appeals are therefore being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.