Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea, diarrhea, and skin rash on both eyelids due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but denied service connection for a cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20% since December 27, 2006 and 40% from March 14, 2013. The left wrist disability is rated at 20%, 40%, and 40% respectively for the same periods. A TDIU rating is granted effective December 27, 2006. SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sino-bronchial syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patella tendonitis of the right knee and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10% rating for patella tendonitis from May 12, 2012 to October 2, 2019, and a 30% rating thereafter. For lumbosacral strain, the Veteran is in receipt of a 20% initial disability rating since May 31, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache condition on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, prior to February 12, 2020. A 40 percent rating is also assigned for the thoracolumbar spine beginning February 12, 2020. The Veteran’s left and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 18, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.,For the period from December 18, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee strain and lumbosacral strain have been evaluated, with the right knee receiving a maximum rating of 30 percent since May 9, 2017. The right knee instability is granted as a separate condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and conducting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's OSA was initially diagnosed during service and has persisted since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with right lower leg recurrent sciatica, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the condition was related to an in-service injury.

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

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability (to include asthma) and sleep apnea, and denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the right wrist disability.,Further development is needed to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory and sleep disorders and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher evaluation for his back symptomatology and TDIU. The RO must obtain relevant federal records, request SSA disability benefits records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for vision problems, OSA, hypertension, and a gum disability due to potential secondary effects from service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated in relation to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected back disability caused or aggravated obesity.