Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active duty service and his current condition.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for a temporal lobe disability, left inguinal pain (hernia), chronic fatigue syndrome, low back disability, right knee disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea are all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is less likely than not caused by an in-service event.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

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

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the current conditions did not manifest during or within one year after service and were not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms of snoring and fatigue during active duty are consistent with his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbosacral spine disability is now service connected, and he receives a 20% rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sleep apnea disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and Chiari malformation due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address the Veteran's assertions of onset of symptoms while in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 15, 2015 is granted and his TDIU claim from that date forward is dismissed as moot. Sleep apnea and colon cancer service connection claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, specifically whether it is related to her military service.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection and evaluations related to various conditions, including constipation, left ankle fracture, fatigue and insomnia, cervical spine disability, ganglion cyst of the left knee, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected deviated septum. The Veteran needs a supplemental medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs further evidence before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and he is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disability, COPD, and hepatitis B preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional studies. The Veteran's representative argues that the current opinions are not sufficient, particularly regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and sleep apnea.