Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for migraine headaches was granted, and service connection for this condition is now established.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been denied due to the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity since August 7, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison, and the Board finds he is entitled to a TDIU benefit.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that it should be remanded for a VA examination to determine its baseline level of severity prior to aggravation by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and PTSD, and his sleep apnea. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused by or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, and TDIU due to individual unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and granulomatous lung disease. Service connection was granted for COPD.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided in a previous remand. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma is claimed to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, but a VA examiner found this unlikely. The Board has ordered further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral spondylosis/arthritis, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurologic disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The burial benefits claim is denied as the application for benefits was received after two years of the Veteran's burial, and the other requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.1705 are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and right hip iliopsoas tendonitis. The effective date of the grant is set to February 19, 2015.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back and hip disabilities. The VA needs to obtain new examinations and medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to in-service complaints of sleep disturbance and snoring, including his lay statements and a private medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including some that have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are related to service connection for various conditions and rating of disabilities such as right foot fracture residuals, TBI with headaches, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left wrist disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining missing service records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination for sleep apnea and knee disabilities.