Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests that the Veteran provide information about his treatment providers and outstanding VA medical records. The claims will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is pending due to incomplete records from his first period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea by his service-connected psychiatric disorder and residuals of hernia surgery.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his symptoms began during active service and have been continuous to the present.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected back and psychiatric disabilities are found to be causally related to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,The Veteran is determined to be unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the effects of medications on the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from a medical professional addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and heat stroke residuals due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left below the knee amputation with bursitis and low back disability have been denied. The current evaluations of 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively, are found to be appropriate.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations or addendum opinions to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. His PTSD is rated at 50%, and the claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is denied.

Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, including metastasis to the neck and associated treatment.,Service connection is also granted for loss of sense of taste due to SCC of the base of the tongue.,Residual scars related to head/neck cancer treatment are service-connected.,Numbness of the face, neck, and chest is service-connected.,Weakness and limitation of motion of the left shoulder, including adhesive capsulitis, is service-connected.,Anemia associated with chronic fatigue is service-connected.,Left ventricular hypertrophy is service-connected.,Hepatic steatosis / ‘fatty liver’ is service-connected.,GERD is service-connected.,Sleep apnea is service-connected.,A gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, increased rating for right knee and low back disability due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder caused his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and migraine headaches due to insufficient compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran must undergo VA examinations to assess his conditions, and an adequate medical opinion is needed on both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his OSA did not have its onset during service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities, and periodic limb movement disorder due to potential aggravation by a service-connected condition (atrial fibrillation) or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no direct link between his current condition and an in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service event.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's functional impairments caused by his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also being considered in conjunction with the psychiatric disability rating issue.