Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and alcohol use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran’s VA treatment records need to be updated, and he should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep issues are being evaluated, including seeking treatment records and conducting a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again with a new VA opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for OSA.

The Board has vacated the June 2020 decision denying service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded to determine if there is evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), loss of concentration, fear of knives, and loss of memory. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, attempting to corroborate in-service stressors, scheduling VA examinations, and further development as needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 20 percent, granting an increased rating. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 21, 2015 and 40 percent on and after that date. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relation to his active duty service. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is found to have begun during his time in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be obtained before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining audiogram results from VA treatment records and reviewing all new evidence submitted since the last decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his sleep apnea, as well as whether obesity caused or aggravated by these disabilities is a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion addressing the correct legal standard.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for tension headaches, but the cases of right knee disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for a right foot condition, to include Morton's neuroma, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a chronic migraine headache are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ring finger disability, bilateral foot fungus, numbness of the left upper extremity, diabetes mellitus, skin rash, and OSA. The remaining claim of service connection for prostate disability is remanded.