Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for a skin disability. The Board finds the VA examiner’s opinion inadequate due to lack of discussion on in-service treatment and lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current OSA and his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs more information about his periods of service. The AOJ must verify all his service dates and types, including any after 2009. If he had service after 2009, they need a medical opinion on whether his sleep apnea is related to that service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner did not address whether the OSA is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision also vacates part of a previous denial.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pleural plaques caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, nose disorder (claimed as nose bleeds), and sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary. The claim of residuals of pneumonia is reopened but denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and chondromalacia of the left knee, limitation of extension, are restored to their previous ratings. The cervical strain issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea cannot be established due to the absence of a diagnosis. The claim is remanded for a new opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral knee arthralgia claims are remanded for a new examination as the November 2019 VA examination was inadequate.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle arthralgia claims are also remanded for a new examination due to inconsistencies in the November 2019 VA examination report.,TDIU is remanded as the Veteran has not submitted an application for TDIU.

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

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's OSA is not considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence of TBI residuals at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim, nor is there evidence linking GERD to service connection.,Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is also denied as secondary to PTSD and not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), seborrheic keratosis, and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 70 percent disability rating since September 2, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's inability to maintain substantial gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a nervous disorder, tinnitus, right wrist degenerative arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and left hip disability are denied. The cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities have been remanded.,Service connection is being considered on the merits for the Veteran’s claimed conditions, but secondary service connection will be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for breathing disorder (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, and high cholesterol. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.