Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, polymyalgia, and sleep apnea must be denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury. The claims for left hip disability and right hip disability are remanded due to a lack of medical evidence showing current disabilities during the appeal period. The claim for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tear is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a lack of service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional information needed for the search.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied increased ratings prior to July 13, 2017 and from July 13, 2017. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating during these periods.

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

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations of the Veteran's back and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and sacroiliitis, an increased rating for right sciatic radiculopathy, TDIU, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or necessary adaptive equipment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a sleep disorder (claimed as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder) are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. A new medical opinion is needed to determine the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and prostate condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 20 percent rating from March 23, 2015 to May 20, 2019 and from November 12, 2019 to May 24, 2021. A higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Board has remanded the claim due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's skin disorders are being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's skin disorders and OSA are not service connected, as they are not related to his active duty or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease, claimed as back condition and sacroilitis, finding that the Veteran's current back disorder did not originate in service or within a year of discharge from service. The Board concluded there was no nexus between the Veteran's active duty service and his current back disorder due to the lack of a longitudinal trend of subjective complaints and objective findings.

The Board has determined that there is a need to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep condition, specifically whether it was caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is necessary for determining if he can establish secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acquired psychiatric disorders are proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a deviated septum, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and need for further development.