Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions and claims of secondary service connection. The decision also notes that there are outstanding VA treatment records which need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records, unverified in-service stressors, and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right leg condition and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations in December 2017. The Veteran needs new examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee instability, acid reflux, and sleep apnea due to incomplete development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder osteoarthritis and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have been remanded due to the submission of additional VA examination and clinical documentation. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for consideration.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10% rating for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bronchial asthma with obstructive sleep apnea was denied, but service connection for lumbar disc disease was granted.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected PTSD and asthma/COPD. Service connection for left knee disability prior to December 17, 2018, is dismissed due to lack of case or controversy. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and military personnel file, as well as any private medical records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The Veteran does not have a gum disorder or dental condition eligible for VA compensation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions provided. The Veteran's ED and OSA are not service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and bilateral pes planus. The decision also addressed a claim for increased ratings for low back disability.

The Veteran's headache and sleep disability were not related to service, and the Board denied service connection for these conditions as they are not due to an undiagnosed illness or a known permanent worsening by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.