Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine with DDD secondary to right shoulder disability and sleep apnea due to new evidence being submitted after the initial SSOC was issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to a lack of adequate medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence, including failure to address relevant DBQs and VA treatment records. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct new examinations per Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017), issue an adequate SSOC, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder aggravates his sleep apnea. The rating for major depressive disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for back problems and left knee degenerative joint disease (claimed as knee problem) due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient consideration of her reports of symptoms in service.

The Board has found that the most recent remand directives have not been substantially complied with and has ordered new examinations for chronic headaches and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and colitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and will be considered on the merits. The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision without additional medical evidence regarding whether his current psychiatric condition is related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current disability in either ear, and any pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded three issues: evaluating the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain, and a neck condition. A new examination is needed for all these issues.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of tuberculosis is denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's claims for left foot drop and balance problems, and sleep apnea are both granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a diagnosis of sleep apnea in service and grants this claim.,The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder and right shoulder disorder are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, chronic headaches (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep apnea are being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition, sleep apnea, and joint pain due to incomplete examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's self-reported history.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information in a previous medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, including his weight gain and nasal fracture.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening of his peripheral neuropathy and rosacea, as well as potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, headaches, and a rapid heartbeat disability to include as secondary to PTSD due to lack of in-service documentation and conflicting evidence regarding other psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, nasal problems, sleep apnea, respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, PTSD, and social anxiety due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tears and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service symptoms and medical history.