Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The claim will be reviewed with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, as there were issues with the adequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for additional private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The examiner must address whether it is at least as likely as not that the sleep apnea had its onset in or is otherwise related to service, and if it is proximately due to his service-connected chronic sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain and unspecified anxiety disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumber degenerative disc disease (DDD), caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea and a neurological condition. The opinions must consider the Veteran's contentions regarding obesity as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine has been granted. For the initial rating period, a 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a nose and sinus injury (left nasal passage obstruction) is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous pain since service. The cases are being sent back for new VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep disorders other than obstructive sleep apnea and back conditions, but has remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports, need for additional evidence, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for right bundle branch block and sleep apnea due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, entitlement to a higher initial rating for insomnia, and entitlement to a TDIU for sleep apnea due to procedural issues and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis due to further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD or if they have existed since approximately June 2012.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and a headache disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions considering all relevant evidence.,For the period prior to September 14, 2020, the Veteran's dermatitis rating remains denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under both old and new regulations.,From September 14, 2020, the Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 10 percent due to intermittent topical therapy. The remand requires further examination to determine if this rating should be higher.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for Barrett's esophagus and intramucosal adenocarcinoma of the esophagus was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s asbestosis with calcified plaques claim is remanded due to incomplete records from A.B., a private hospital in Bloomington, IL.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and asthma. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The right knee disability is being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran’s low back strain, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, due to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). Service connection has also been granted for her PTSD, which she claims was caused by military sexual trauma during ACDUTRA. The right knee disability is being remanded because additional evidence or clarification is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors. Service connection was denied for insomnia and sleep apnea.