Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and his GERD is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions related to his lumbosacral spine is denied. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his military service, but needs further examination and opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue and sleep impairment/hypersomnolence (claimed as sleep apnea) were denied because there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected Lyme disease.

Service connection for loss of teeth is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease resulting in the condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to major depression disorder is granted based on medical opinions supporting a link between the conditions.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) secondary to major depression disorder is granted based on medical opinions and the Veteran's history of chronic pain from his knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying his service history and obtaining medical records. The claims are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence and VA will attempt to obtain any necessary records for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, with implanted neurostimulator and scar is denied. The separate rating assigned for radiculopathy of the LLE as of August 4, 2016, remains proper.

The Board has decided that a VA medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.,Her claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied chest pain claim has been granted, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a closed third metatarsal fracture and sleep apnea due to in-service environmental exposure. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, but remands the case for further development to address whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection as it is found to have had its onset during service and there is no evidence of aggravation or pre-existing condition. The Board finds the Veteran credible in his testimony regarding symptoms experienced during and since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI residuals, and COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of rationale in the previous opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an eye disability, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his current disability levels and functional limitations. The issues include ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain post laminectomies with fusion due to degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, residuals of a right great toe fracture, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.