Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded three issues: a claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain, a TDIU claim, and a SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical examinations.

The appeal for increased ratings on the lumbar spine disability is dismissed. The right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as the splenectomy and Lyme disease residuals, are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether OSA is related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability of sleep apnea related to his active service. The Board also found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's OSA was not present in service and there is no evidence showing it was caused by or related to his military service, including any sleep complaints. The Board found the medical evidence did not support a connection between the Veteran's current OSA and his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder, finding that there is at least a 50% probability that OSA was caused by PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion regarding whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's lay statements and medical records indicate snoring and difficulty sleeping during service, which may have contributed to OSA. The Board requires additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it is related to military service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied, with the Board concluding there is not enough evidence to support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The underlying claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining a clinical opinion on whether his sleep apnea may be caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral spine disease have been dismissed. The Board also granted TDIU from May 3, 2013, but remanded the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 3, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for angina pectoris with CAD and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also granted a higher rating for angina pectoris with CAD from March 17, 2015 to August 10, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the cervical spine disability is still pending as new and material evidence has not been received. Appeals for OSA, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to lack of medical opinion linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's request for a higher rating on his right knee disability and SMC based on aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, residuals of Lyme disease, and sleep apnea due to incomplete service treatment records. The VA must continue its efforts to obtain these records from appropriate repositories.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.