Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied an extension of a temporary total evaluation for convalescence following surgery on August 26, 2009 due to lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (DDD). The Veteran's need for convalescence beyond November 30, 2009 was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and OSA are not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His service-connected PTSD does not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric, headache, and sleep disability service connection due to incomplete examinations and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and skin rash on both eyelids due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, right hip, and lumbosacral strain as secondary to service-connected PTSD on an aggravation basis.,Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

Right ear hearing loss has been granted service connection.,Sleep apnea and bilateral eye disorder have been reopened, but the claims are still pending as they require further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it is not related to the Veteran's in-service nasal bone fracture or her service-connected status post rhinoseptoplasty and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not secondary to her service-connected conditions.

Service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and obstructive sleep apnea degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Veteran's service records do not show any in-service events, injuries, or diseases that could have led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding her sleep apnea with fatigue.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by service in Southwest Asia, his service-connected cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and/or hypertension, or any other condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a respiratory condition other than sleep apnea during the appellate period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete examination opinion regarding the potential link between the Veteran's weight and his sleep apnea. A new examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right eye, and right hand conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is required to obtain military personnel records and arrange for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and service. The Veteran must provide a new VA addendum opinion addressing his lay statements of symptoms in service and exposure to burning trash or feces.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had its onset during service, whether it is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, asthma, GERD, and allergic rhinitis. The examiner will also assess whether OSA was caused by any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, hypertension, and an increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to ongoing development needs.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issues of initial evaluations for major depressive disorder, allergies condition, and lumbosacral strain are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evidence review.