Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for lumbosacral strain, and service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected PTSD and other conditions. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition, is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI is denied. The record lacks any indication of a TBI during his period of active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition (including pes planus) is granted as service-connected, with the onset occurring in 1989 and aggravated by service.

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

The Veteran's TBI induced headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective June 26, 2015. The Board also found that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected and remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea began during his period of service and is related to his in-service symptoms, thus granting service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected sleep apnea and hypertension, making him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and for sickle cell disease, including sickle thalassemia disease. The decision is based on the opinion that the Veteran's current conditions are related to their service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of analysis regarding direct service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and not otherwise related to an in-service injury, disease or event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied. The rating for migraine headaches was maintained at 10 percent prior to October 16, 2019, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of entitlement that OSA is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing this new theory.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical opinion is needed to determine the current etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner should also address the possibility of obesity as an intermediate step in establishing service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete reasoning. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of thoracolumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and inadequate consideration of the Veteran's paratrooper experience.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether OSA is aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he has failed to provide relevant information concerning his post-service employment history.