Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in the November 2021 hearing. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including left kidney condition, migraine headaches, left testicle condition, right testicle condition, foot condition, right shoulder condition, stomach ulcers, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), ED, eye condition, and sleep apnea. The effective dates for these claims are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, but the claims are still being remanded due to outstanding medical records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% from July 14, 2008 to October 3, 2010. A TDIU was granted effective July 14, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 9, 2014. The Board also remanded the issue of whether a TDIU was warranted prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder (MDD), is found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. Migraine headaches are remanded for further review.

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

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further examination is needed as the Board cannot proceed without a medical opinion on whether service connection can be established through an intermediate step theory.,Further examination is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which may affect his sleep apnea and knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis had its onset during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for sleep apnea, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and remanded the issues of increased rating for low back disability, service connection for respiratory disability, and service connection for diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The reduction in the disability rating for a right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome from 20 percent to 0 percent was not proper, and the Veteran's 20 percent rating is restored. The Board also granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed all issues related to earlier effective dates for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, as the Veteran withdrew these claims. The appeal is also dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 19, 2008 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities including degenerative joint and disk disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are granted as secondary to his service-connected urethral stricture. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for urethral stricture and chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood, earlier effective dates for these conditions, entitlement to SMC (A&A/Housebound), SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that there was insufficient compliance with its previous remand instructions and thus the case must be returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

Service connection is granted for a psychiatric condition, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.,The left knee and left hip conditions are not currently diagnosed.