Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis, manus, cruris.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post hemiarthroplasty with ankylosis, OSA, and a bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral neuropathy and periodic limb movement/RLS.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lung condition, and paralyzed diaphragm are being remanded due to the need for new medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left ulnar nerve disabilities, and sleep apnea. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for sleep apnea and is remanding the issue of service connection for left wrist disability due to lack of a medical opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether the Veteran's obesity is related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has determined that a new medical examination is needed due to the inadequacy of an April 2019 VA nexus opinion and the need for further diagnostic testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the appellant's obstructive sleep apnea and its relation to his service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability and fibromyalgia. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, and for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and service connection for an upper back disability or cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and development needs.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his right ankle disability, sleep apnea, bilateral wrist disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and a need for verification of his duty status during the period when he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. The Veteran is also seeking clarification on whether his service-connected asthma, hypertension, and medications are contributing to his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not begin during military service and is not otherwise related to his service. Therefore, service connection for OSA is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for residuals of right distal tibia and fibula fracture. The claims for low back disability, right knee disability, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD is granted as service connected. The lumbosacral spine DDD and DJD, with a current rating of 20%, remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right elbow condition, and complaints of a right elbow condition are not found in the Veteran’s service treatment records. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.