Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 4, 2008.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his foot and spine conditions. The case will be reviewed by a medical professional who will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obesity, caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, shoulder, back, hip, and sleep apnea disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including chondromalacia of the knees, hypothyroidism, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The issues have been withdrawn from the legacy appeal system in favor of a modernized review.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and OSA are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left leg disability, nasal disability, blood clot in the right leg, liver disability, and memory loss are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion is inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or caused by medication for his service-connected conditions.

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is currently diagnosed and claimed as secondary to PTSD, needs further examination and opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's low back disability was denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to February 6, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the limited range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to lack of a causal or aggravation nexus between PTSD and OSA.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, while his lumbosacral spondylosis case requires additional medical opinion to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of information on the competency of VA examiners who performed his C&P examinations. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with this information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and left hand neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to May 25, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical opinions on obesity and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection are related to PTSD.

The Veteran's esophageal conditions, including esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus, are remanded for an adequate VA examination to determine if they are related to his military service. The thyroid disorder is also remanded as it may be secondary to the esophageal disorders.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU claim is also deferred until further notice.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is related to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's representative contends that his obstructive sleep apnea may also be due to his chronic pain from his service-connected disabilities.