Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and clarification regarding his service connection claims, particularly focusing on whether his current sleep apnea, low back pain, pelvic pain, numbness in feet, and numbness in hands are related to his service-connected Dercum's disease.

The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, degenerative disc disease, and disc protrusion due to outstanding medical evidence. The TDIU issue is also being returned to the AOJ as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis, status post polypectomies is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and concluding that his sleep apnea did not begin in service or until many years after separation. The Board also found that it was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran is being asked to undergo further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to January 24, 2017 is granted and the higher rating from that date onwards is denied. The effective dates for service connection are set at April 16, 2012, and February 26, 2015 respectively.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not have their onset in service and are not otherwise related to his military service. The Board also found that OSA is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service disease/injury related to sleep apnea. The Board also found that any current sleep apnea did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was previously denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosed disability. The claim is now reopened with the addition of new and material evidence, but the issue remains remanded as an addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions. The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records from Eglin AFB medical facilities. The Veteran is not contesting the effective date or rating assigned for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension causes or aggravates his OSA. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a supplemental opinion addressing both causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 2, 2020. His sciatica of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective October 9, 2015. His radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, effective December 3, 2020.

The Board has vacated its previous decision denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD. The request for a 90-day extension of time to submit new evidence was not properly associated with the electronic claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.