Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, left knee arthritis (flexion), partial ACL tear and status post left knee arthroscopy, and left knee arthritis (instability) due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation, specifically to determine if it is related to service-connected conditions or due to other factors.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated as lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The rating has been maintained since January 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain and a TDIU rating due to incomplete examination findings. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to sleep apnea. The decision on service connection for sleep apnea is based on direct evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cataracts and remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired heart disability, sleep apnea, gastritis, and constipation. The remaining issues have been withdrawn from appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. For sleep apnea and RLS, additional medical records are needed to determine their etiology. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ankle disorders, knee disorders, flatfeet, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding his OSA.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The appeal for initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions, including a scar on the bridge of nose as a residual of nose fracture and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected broken nose, is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for tuberculosis residuals and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased ratings for back disabilities and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as TDIU. The remand is necessary because of pending claims that need to be addressed first.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and potential service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and to establish service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of x-ray reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for COPD and remanded several other issues. The claims are now pending before the AOJ for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hiatal hernia and chronic duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being returned to the AOJ for additional examination and opinion.