Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that a remand is needed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which contradicts an April 2017 VA opinion. The Veteran's sleep apnea may be related or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted, with the dermatitis being considered a continuation of a condition noted in service. The eye disability other than the right cornea is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the medical evidence did not support such a higher rating under either the pre-amended or amended criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and sleep apnea are not service connected as they were not shown to be related to his active duty. The bilateral knee disabilities and heart disability (right bundle branch block and AV nodal conduction defect) are also not service connected, with the exception of hypertension which is being remanded for further review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected plantar fasciitis. The bilateral knee disabilities were not found to be related to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The heart disability (right bundle branch block and AV nodal conduction defect) is being remanded for further review, as are the hypertension issues.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The heart disability was found to have a congenital origin but no superimposed disease or injury during service. Hypertension is being remanded for further review as it may be related to the Veteran's pre-service periods of active duty.,The Veteran's heart disability (right bundle branch block and AV nodal conduction defect) was found not to have been aggravated by his service from June 2004 to September 2004. The hypertension is being remanded for further review as it may be related to the Veteran's pre-service periods of active duty.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and at least six weeks of incapacitating episodes in any 12-month period, is rated at 50 percent effective October 21, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Lumbar Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and RLS due to concerns about causation related to PTSD. The Veteran's reports of in-service assault are accepted, and a VA clinician is requested to provide opinions regarding the etiology and potential aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a Lumbar Strain, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and in-service injury, respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, including sleep studies. The Veteran's service-connected GERD with esophageal stricture and Barrett’s esophagus is also being considered as a potential cause of his current sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical evidence. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again, with specific attention given to whether it is related to service or any other conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure and denied his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further development regarding the COPD claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition began during active service and is related to in-service fatigue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his sciatic nerve radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and migraines as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are related to her service-connected asthma or obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, including those from Dr. R.P., and a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if there is a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider secondary service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim is now pending again for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date determinations are being remanded due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records.