Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the medical opinion provided for the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and OSA has been received. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically needing a new medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The TDIU issue is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the TDIU claim and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's attorney requested copies of the curriculum vitae of VA examiners who conducted examinations on his behalf.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities since March 1, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met from this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone or in combination preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination, and further evidence is needed before a decision can be made on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as the Veteran's symptoms and diagnosis were present during his active duty service.

The Veteran's OSA is found to have begun during her active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for PTSD, OSA, Hypertension, and GERD due to insufficient medical evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertensive heart disease and service connection for sleep apnea have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the current diagnosis did not have its onset in service and there was no evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder and hypertension due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The examiner is requested to address the continuity of symptoms, lay statements, and provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated septum, post septoplasty. The decision also found no other basis for granting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to service, while his lumbar degenerative disc disease is not.