Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine disability and hypertension, as well as his claim for TDIU, have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with inhalant use, opioid use, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's service connection claim for migraines was granted, while his claim for sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome are found to have caused his current obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to an inadequate opinion and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20% rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the reduction from 20 to 10 percent was improper and did not reflect actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include anxiety, a chronic sleep disorder to include obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, and a chronic headache disorder other than sinus-related headaches to include cluster headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to active service or any incident of service, including as due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sleep apnea due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and arrhythmia due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions, with a focus on whether they were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to service and/or his service-connected anxiety disorder with panic attacks.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gynecological disorder is related to her in-service radiation exposure. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective February 14, 2020. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy also received a 10 percent rating effective February 14, 2020.,The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran’s employment and educational history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient notice and development regarding his in-service stressors, as well as inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about his claimed stressors and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as the lumbosacral sprain with degenerative arthritis, are all rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claim of service connection for OSA is granted, but his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.