Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA obtain relevant treatment records from various sources and schedule the Veteran for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, left shoulder condition, prostate cancer, and sleep apnea syndrome due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the baseline severity of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but remanded the right knee condition claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, right knee disability, and service-connected disabilities. The issues include entitlement to service connection for these conditions and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Board directed the AOJ to arrange for new VA examinations for the respiratory condition, sleep apnea, left hip disability, and right knee disability. Additionally, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and vaginal prolapse and rectocele.

The Veteran's disabilities, including his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions and left elbow condition, do not meet the criteria for a finding of permanent and total disability for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected ulcerative colitis and major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed due to new evidence, while his heart disorder claim requires additional medical opinions regarding its onset during service or its relation to sleep issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and if it was incurred during active service. An additional VA opinion is needed to address these issues.

A 20 percent rating is granted for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis from December 11, 2017 to October 6, 2020.,A 40 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the right knee effective October 7, 2020.,A 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of a right ankle strain effective October 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now granted. The Board found that the new evidence submitted since previous denials supports a finding that these conditions may be related to service or pre-existing psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and initial rating for the Veteran's disabilities due to his death.

The Board has decided that the case should be returned for further development regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and obesity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected gout. The rating for his gout remains at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral and thoracic strain, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, was denied. The rating for lumbosacral and thoracic strain from June 5, 2014 to November 18, 2019 is still at 20 percent. From November 19, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's condition has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to new evidence showing worsening of his service-connected low back disabilities and left knee chondromalacia with meniscal repair and residual scars. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations, obtain additional records, and provide a full review of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbosacral spine arthritis. The claim of entitlement to service connection for asbestosis is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner.