Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a seizure disorder, chronic headache disorder, and OSA due to potential issues with the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for lumbosacral strain as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorders, medication, or otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder and denied service connection for a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for xerosis cutis. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, fatigue, and left clavicle disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on the Veteran's obesity, which was linked to his previously service-connected cardiac disability and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated nasal septum, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The VA examiners found that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or any link to service.,The Veteran's contentions regarding the onset of his disabilities were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for narcolepsy and an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner must provide a well-reasoned opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus for additional development to determine if they are aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with asthma and allergic bronchitis is being remanded due to the lack of an adequate VA examination. The AOJ must obtain another VA respiratory examination that includes exercise capacity testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's representative raising a theory of secondary service connection for sleep apnea, which may be associated with his service-connected bipolar disorder. The claim will be reconsidered after an addendum opinion is provided by VA.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, bilateral hip, right knee, and pelvis injuries sustained during active service. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or causation.,Service connection was granted for TBI residuals, migraine headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus on a lay basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to address whether sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected psychiatric disability, including medications taken for that condition.

For the rating period from January 14, 2008 to January 23, 2009, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (lumbar spine disability) is denied.,For the rating period from January 23, 2009 forward, an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection as it began during his active duty service.,The right arm condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is secondary to the service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff repair.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorders are related to his military service, specifically parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The Board has decided that the case should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between OSA and his service-connected sinusitis and sarcoidosis.