Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU prior to January 10, 2014 are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging at L5-S1 on an aggravation basis and bilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging at L5-S1.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have aggravated his unspecified anxiety disorder, and his now service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder has aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, gout, degenerative bone disease, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as allergies) due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and right knee disability are all in need of further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 16, 2015. The rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbosacral strain disability remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental disorder. The claims for hypertension and GERD are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart murmur, hardening of the lungs, shortness of breath, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to be provided with VA examinations to determine whether his conditions had onset during or were caused by his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused him to become obese, and if obesity was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, depression and anxiety (psychiatric disability), left knee disability, and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. These claims are now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and hypothyroidism were denied as her conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed during service and is considered to have started there, granting service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist De Quervain’s tenosynovitis was granted service connection, while the claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not proximately due to or caused by a service-connected disability and did not have a direct causal relationship with his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety and sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for hypertension and multiple sclerosis, both claimed as due to in-service herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, hand, and foot conditions, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea. Additional verification is needed regarding his active service after October 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hemochromatosis due to Gulf War environmental hazard/undiagnosed illness. The claims are being referred back for further examination and opinion.