Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or another medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The claim for service connection for seizures has been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine its etiology. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not addressing whether obesity, caused by service-connected diabetes mellitus, is a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea will be reconsidered with the addition of a VA opinion.

The Board denied service connection for both a cervical spine disability and a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left biceps femoris strain does not warrant a compensable disability rating, and his TDIU claim is denied. The lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral paravertebral muscular strain, as well as sciatica of the lower extremities, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, but requires further examination and opinion to determine if this relationship exists.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and arthritis of the lumbar spine with spina bifida occulta, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability was reopened, and granted. The claims for sleep disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches were denied.,A 10% rating is assigned for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of any diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.,The etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability need to be determined through a VA examination.,The etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability needs to be determined through a VA examination.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service, with consideration given to weight gain as an intermediary factor.,An appropriate VA examination is required to assess the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with obesity being an intermediate step. The decision grants service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa was granted with a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of decision. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for sleep apnea as it was granted in a November 2020 rating decision. The issue of a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD from December 11, 2016 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine residuals of sprain and right knee disability was dismissed. Separate initial ratings were granted for the right knee based on limitation of extension, instability, and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and eye disability are dismissed as the conditions have already been granted in a previous rating decision.

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

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, COPD, and pulled muscles (front and back) as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and has continued since, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed all the appeals for service connection as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.