Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition developed during service, is related to another service-connected disability, or is linked to obesity.

The Veteran's spine disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent due to lack of limitation of forward flexion, favorable ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, service connection for a left shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for new VA examinations to address the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, and his right thumb and elbow disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine arthritis is granted service connection, but his melanoma claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Board granted service connection for the sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and LLE radiculopathy) do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The RO also restored the ratings for his left thigh disability and limitation of extension of the left thigh, effective October 1, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and needs a new examination with an appropriate examiner.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence was received. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteopenia of the left femoral neck has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar spine ankylosis with DDD prior to July 25, 2019, and to a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent thereafter, as well as for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected headache disability, have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder and to medications taken to treat service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant's sleep apnea developed during his service or is otherwise related to an event in service. The examiner must address the appellant's reported symptoms and their relation to his current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, headache disorder, sleep apnea and insomnia disorders, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and ischemic heart disease have all been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, gout, hypertension, and sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further development regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, concluding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 3, 2017 and from August 2, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a direct basis.