Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The case is being remanded due to the addition of relevant evidence and outstanding VA records that need to be reviewed. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The case is returned for further development and clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obesity, which is an intermediate step in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed without prejudice.,The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for the period prior to April 4, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent disabling for the period thereafter, for service-connected residuals of low back injury with compression fracture of T11 and mild degenerative changes; entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the period prior to June 1, 2011 are remanded.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, sinusitis, GERD, and bilateral athlete's foot are remanded.,,,,,

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD and several musculoskeletal issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if his right shoulder condition and sleep apnea are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition and whether it is related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected non-specific headaches is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from December 19, 2018. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and left hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for IVDS with lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflected his disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that there is no clear evidence of their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not related to his military service and does not have a direct link to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Chiari malformation, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's Chiari malformation claim is being remanded again for an addendum opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically headaches. The obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy claims are also being remanded for additional medical opinions considering the potential intermediate step of obesity caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain missing records, including those from the Veteran's electronic file and VAMC. The claims for service connection for bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and dry eye syndrome are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 20, 2018. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for determining service connection for sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and headaches. The claims are therefore remanded to obtain new opinions from appropriate VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the May 2018 decision and a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence in the original decision. The Court found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, his hypertension was not related to herbicide exposure or secondary to PTSD, and his sleep apnea may be related to PTSD.