Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions to clarify this relationship.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, headaches, and joint pain (fibromyalgia) due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his military service, including a claimed injury during active duty. The evidence does not support an in-service event or nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus secondary to CAD, chronic fatigue and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing his in-service exposure to dust and fumes.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused him to become obese, which may be an intermediate step in causing his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded.,A VA examination will be conducted to confirm the diagnoses and determine if there is a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep obstructive sleep apnea and a left ankle disability are being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The examiner is requested to consider the Veteran's lay statements and other evidence in their assessment.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and remands both issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for various conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine strain, hemorrhoids, and seasonal allergic reaction.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, effective October 21, 2009. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, nerve disability, and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The AOJ must review all new evidence added to the file since the January 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty or Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of May 5, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran met the basic eligibility criteria for these benefits prior to his initial claim in 2008.