Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea condition, as well as to assess the current severity of his left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for his shoulder disability.

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for sarcoidosis, brain lesions and seizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and OSA secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from private healthcare providers, including T. Macey, M.D., and L. Ettinger, M.D.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, vertigo, sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), and cardiovascular disorder. The claims were based on direct evidence showing current diagnoses but no in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, vertigo, sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), and cardiovascular disorder. The claims were based on direct evidence showing current diagnoses but no in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations to determine the severity of his lumbosacral strain and whether his current hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine has been withdrawn, and his claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for central nerve system sarcoidosis and fungal infection of the right fingers and toes are being remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), GERD (secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer), and OSA (secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer) due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed as the issue has been fully resolved by an earlier grant of service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to his service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about back pain following separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete information and clarification of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis is granted as the evidence shows that he experienced sinusitis during his active duty service.,Service connection for OSA, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is denied. The VA examiner found no causal link between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected disabilities or PTSD.,The claim for service connection for insomnia is denied because it is considered part of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory disability/allergic rhinitis and fatigue have been reopened.,Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia, PTSD, depressive disorder (secondary to PTSD and chronic sinusitis), sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected TBI and PTSD.