Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for obesity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty, left foot disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected left thumb injury, and if so, whether it was aggravated by any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, left knee strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain with severe sprain of the anterior talofibular ligament with mild lateral instability.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with its August 2023 remand directives and thus requires additional development to obtain missing records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and an insufficient VA examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed for potential service connection, including consideration of whether it is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA-obtained medical opinions are inadequate and remands the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's OSA is caused by or aggravated by service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain and/or PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder.

Service connection for OSA is granted, while an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to a need for a VA examination.

The claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the RO has granted service connection for each condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from December 29, 2020 to August 1, 2022. The Board has remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates have been granted for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and sleep apnea (OSA), but not for tinnitus.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2010 for the Veteran's service connection for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and a fracture of the middle/long finger of the left hand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to an error in complying with a statutory duty and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between OSA and his in-service exposure to toxins, specifically deployments to Afghanistan and Qatar.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including rescheduling of VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with paravertebral muscle spasm is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service connection for insomnia as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for an updated VA medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and duty to assist errors. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again, with a focus on its onset in service and its relation to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or burn injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may be related to his exposure to toxic atmospheres during service, specifically burn pit exposures. However, due to a failure to obtain an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER), the case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.