Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess his current back disability and headaches, as well as to determine if there are any missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination assessing the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is currently service-connected. The Veteran served in Kuwait and contends his current condition began during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea did not begin during active service and is not related to any injury or disease incurred during active duty. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation by a service-connected disability, specifically tinnitus and/or headaches.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU has been remanded due to inadequate VA examination in the previous decision. The Board will obtain additional evidence, schedule a new VA examination, and refer the case for extraschedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his right foot disability and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for blindness due to bilateral retinitis pigmentosa, but the other issues of TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his military service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its October 2020 denial of the claim, specifically because it relied on an inadequate examination that failed to adequately address the Veteran's self-reported flare-ups. The case is now required to be remanded for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not granted. The Board found new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the claims of acquired psychological disorder, sleep apnea, or esophageal reflux. However, the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and hypertension have been granted.

A higher rating of 10 percent for limited left hip extension is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited left hip flexion and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited right hip extension, flexion, and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) including as secondary to PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee strain with traumatic arthritis, and right knee strain with traumatic arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or establish service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in the February 2019 VA examination report, and thus service connection for sleep apnea is being returned for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and exposure to environmental hazards. The VA will need to provide a thorough examination and opinion on these issues.