Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's medication for his service-connected disabilities aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of recent VA examinations and outstanding records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both being examined again, and his TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and her military service. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the previous remand directives were not substantially complied with and has ordered further examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his headaches and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection of OSA, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of COPD in the record, and his symptoms are attributed to other already service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain updated military personnel records that could support an onset of sleep apnea during qualifying service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his time in service, as there was no opinion provided on this issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as the appeal was not timely filed and no new evidence has been submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities caused obesity, and if obesity was a substantial factor in developing obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple knee and ankle conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for ADHD as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected OSA, finding that the evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates, with the exception of a 10% increase in disability rating for tinnitus from October 29, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran did not become unemployable within one year prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety, diminished eyesight, and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his forward flexion is greater than 60 degrees but less than 85 degrees and his combined range of motion is greater than 120 degrees but less than 235 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no current disability and noting that the December 2017 sleep study was negative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Barrett's Disease, a heart condition, and melanoma due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, particularly lumbar strain, bilateral knee, and bilateral flat feet.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes, stroke, and vision problems, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2019, to February 16, 2022.