Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be directly related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been dismissed due to a docketing error.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding VA treatment records from the Veteran's private primary care physician. The Veteran is asked to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, anosmia, and penile deformity due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations is noted, and rescheduling is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected due to a remand for further examination and opinion. The lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis claim must be remanded as VA did not obtain all relevant private treatment records. The left elbow disability claim also requires additional examination.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss from September 9, 2021 to March 1, 2022, and from December 21, 2022 to February 18, 2023.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss were not established during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, which is granted. However, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's rosacea is currently rated as noncompensable under DC 7806. The Board has determined that remand for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the nature and severity of his rosacea and whether prescribed medications are systemic therapy or corticosteroids, is necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 AOJ supplemental claim decision on appeal, but any evidence submitted after that date will be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with disc degeneration is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,From May 9, 2017 to September 8, 2020, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent. From September 9, 2020 to June 28, 2021, it was rated at 10 percent. After that period, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical nexus opinion are necessary to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service in Southwest Asia or secondary to her service-connected rhinitis. The claim will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain and left knee femoropatellar and medial joint arthrosis have been granted service connection.,An effective date of February 8, 2019, has been assigned for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic autonomic neuropathy (claimed as neuropathy of the torso) secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted. Service connections for peripheral neuropathy, left upper and right upper extremities, and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for upper airway resistance syndrome (claimed as sleep apnea) due to a lack of adequate VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran's contentions regarding his PTSD causing poor eating and exercise habits, leading to obesity and ultimately causing or aggravating his claimed respiratory condition are not considered in the current VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of lay statements and medical evidence in the November 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again with a new VA opinion to address all relevant evidence, including his service reports and spouse's observations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for beta thalassemia with retinal hemorrhage and sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the nature of the preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.