Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a sleep disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities, including depression and chronic pain. The case also requires obtaining missing post-service medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no current disability and no in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected reactive airway disease due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left hip and pelvic osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and bipolar disorder are service connected. However, due to a remand for further development of his gastrointestinal condition, which is secondary to his back, hip, and pelvic conditions as well as his mental health condition, this issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and staged initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded both issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as the evidence is insufficient to determine whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for sleep apnea and an incomplete medical record. The Veteran's symptoms have been noted since service, but no formal diagnosis or etiology has been provided.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea/chronic sleep disturbance disability and herbicide exposure. The TDIU issue remains on appeal as it is intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and tinnitus has been granted. Hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected headache condition caused or aggravated his undiagnosed sleep apnea during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mood disorder, sleep apnea, and insomnia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current mood disorder is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for constrictive bronchiolitis with interstitial lung disease is granted, effective from April 2016. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and bilateral hips disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome/chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, as well as instability of the right knee, and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bronchial asthma with obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions required daily use of systemic high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications, and separate evaluations were not allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran was not provided with an adequate examination, and thus this matter must be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, hallux valgus of the right big toe, GERD, respiratory disorder, chronic sleep disorder, and left shoulder disability due to a lack of service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.