Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PFB and GERD is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current sleep apnea and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to service-connected PTSD, including as due to obesity. The back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia, specifically considering the effects of risperidone medication used for schizophrenia treatment.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hand condition and sleep apnea for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete personnel records and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever with heart involvement and rheumatoid arthritis, finding no probative evidence linking OSA to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral paraspinal muscle strain, a separate rating for bowel or bladder impairment, and entitlement to TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for OSA from August 28, 2009 to May 11, 2010, effective as of that date.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current left nasal cavity disability for VA purposes and his chest/abdominal scars are not related to, or proximately due to, active service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA due to PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may be a factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's low back disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner should provide a rationale for each opinion given, including whether the service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated the Veteran's obesity and whether his obesity was a substantial factor in causing obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical strain and right rotator cuff tendinitis were rated at 20 percent each, with the lumbosacral strain rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and obesity, which are linked by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence regarding its cause and nature. The Veteran's PTSD is considered secondary, but obesity is also a factor in causing his sleep apnea.