Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, low back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disability), and hemorrhoids. The reasons given were that the conditions did not pre-exist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, which is currently considered a direct claim without any presumption or secondary relationship.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the assigned ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease from May 3, 2013 to October 16, 2020. The Veteran's condition was found not to warrant an increased rating during these periods.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (as secondary to a psychiatric disability), and prostate cancer are all being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence suggesting a possible secondary service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran is currently service connected for chronic lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches and acquired speech impediment (stuttering) but has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence. The cardiovascular disorder and sleep apnea issues remain unresolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran's statements regarding symptoms in service are not credible due to lack of contemporaneous medical records and post-service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Board finds that remand is required for a new VA opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral spine arthritis, as there are inadequate opinions in the current record regarding both the preexistence and relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her lumbosacral spine disability have been dismissed as she has withdrawn the claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing the condition had its onset in service or is otherwise causally related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 31, 2015 to June 5, 2019. From June 5, 2019, the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% rating for lung cancer and SMC based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected COPD, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the COPD caused or contributed to the sleep apnea.

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

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected pansinusitis with headaches was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and TDIU.