Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that there is not a complete record to make decisions on the Veteran's claims for service connection. Additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran’s history of back pain, kidney disease, psychiatric disorders, and sleep issues.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder), OSA, and degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's preexisting left foot condition was not aggravated by service, and his current bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of any continuity of symptomatology from service until diagnosis and noting that pes planus was not shown to have caused obesity or sleep apnea.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, but the claims for Meniere's disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 11, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying addendum opinion regarding in-service snoring and difficulty breathing during sleep.

The Board has remanded the service connection appeals for additional development to obtain opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and their relationship to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD and aggravates it, granting service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected PTSD and his current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was granted a 40% rating beginning July 7, 2017. The effective date is not specified as it was factually ascertainable that the condition had increased in severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and service connection for a right shoulder disability, joint pain, and neck disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner concluded that OSA is caused by obesity, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lung condition, and paralyzed diaphragm are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the neck and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The VA is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that additional development is needed.