Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis of the spine requires further development due to inadequate examination, lack of consideration of lay evidence, and need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea syndromes and a higher rating for PTSD due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for BPH, secondary to PTSD and sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to December 4, 2019, due to inadequate medical opinions addressing whether BPH is caused or aggravated by sleep apnea.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder, claimed as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The Board found that the request was clear and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his active military service or secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The Board also found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again by a VA examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the conditions are not related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, COPD, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records showed no complaints of back pain during service. The Veteran reported onset in 1984 while stationed at the Great Lakes Navy base after he slipped and fell on some ice.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 9, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and COPD are being remanded due to incomplete personnel records that need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is related to his Gulf War service and secondary to a service-connected disability. The decision will be based on evidence of record at the time of the prior denial.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea has been denied.,An earlier effective date prior to May 15, 2017, for service connection of sleep apnea has also been denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain, IVDS, and degenerative arthritis was increased to 40 percent. The reduction in rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective August 26, 2019 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, OSA, and DM. The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral ankles and hips are also service connected.,Service connection was established based on aggravation of pre-existing conditions due to active service.

The Veteran's OSA is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and hepatitis C have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for OSA.