Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and denied it on the merits. The Veteran's current diagnosis of OSA is not related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for a neck condition, sleep apnea, and headaches as new evidence was received that could potentially substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it was incurred during his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, and the Board finds that sleep apnea is secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to service or a service-connected disability.,For the lumbar spine disability, prior to May 25, 2018, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating based on forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. Since May 25, 2018, he is rated at 40%, which is the maximum schedular rating for IVDS.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 0 percent for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The heart disability and sleep apnea claims have been denied as there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or service connection, respectively. The eczema claim was remanded with no new rating assigned.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent effective June 2, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's reports from August 1991 are not considered in the current evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and unresolved medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service and/or caused by (proximately due to or the result of) the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent from May 21, 2014 to January 15, 2015. The condition did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to be the etiological factor for his right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent effective December 8, 2018. The right and left ankle strains are each rated at 20 percent effective November 18, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the relationship between obesity, service-connected conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner needs to reconcile these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service. The Veteran must be provided with another examination and asked to provide any additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, including his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service symptoms are sufficient to establish service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) is related to his military service.