Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is remanded for a new opinion to determine if it was incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and headache disorder due to incomplete examinations and lack of clarity regarding certain issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was found to have originated during his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained in this case did not fully comply with the April 2018 remand directives. Therefore, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sleep apnea is granted, while the claim for Bell's palsy is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. A VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for TMJ, lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the right leg, sciatica of the left leg, and OSA should be remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, and outstanding records are requested.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's range of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities. The remaining claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and now requires a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current sleep apnea is linked to his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy, while the psychiatric condition is not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, including a jaw surgery he had during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions and consider the provided research articles.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed OSA began during her active service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, sleep problems/sleep apnea, and heart condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbosacral spine, IVDS with DDD is denied. Prior to December 14, 2018, the evaluation was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Beginning December 14, 2018, the evaluation remains denied due to lack of findings of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.