Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but the claim for essential tremors is remanded due to insufficient development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of examination in conjunction with the sleep apnea claim, and an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's disability ratings and TDIU claim due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA records may provide evidence of worsening in the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities, which could affect these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease as secondary to hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, but has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards (diesel fuel).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran requires assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating for his back disability has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims of sinusitis and rhinitis. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service, while his sinusitis and rhinitis need further clarification.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and chondrosarcoma of the brain as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and his active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or after service, and the most probative medical opinions are against a finding that it is related to service-connected PTSD.,PTSD symptoms prior to April 9, 2015, were productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. As of April 9, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea with narcolepsy requires the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine but does not manifest chronic respiratory failure or require tracheostomy.,From July 26, 2001 to July 26, 2011, the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with narcolepsy under Diagnostic Code 6847 are not met. A separate 10 percent rating for sleep apnea with narcolepsy under Diagnostic Code 8911 is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee disability are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain a Gulf War examination and provide opinions on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service or any chronic multi-symptom disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, as it was not adequately addressed in prior medical opinions and there is evidence suggesting a continuity of symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active duty service or is otherwise related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and if it was caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, a compensable rating for rhinitis, service connection for sleep apnea (SA), and service connection for right knee disability due to new evidence received since the previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to challenges raised by the Veteran regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided opinions on sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain and provide information about the credentials of these examiners.

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