Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea and associated sleeping disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as determined by the VA examiners.

The Board has granted effective dates of September 1, 1992 for service connection of back disability and right foot disability. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for cervical strain was denied prior to January 18, 2021 and since that date. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied prior to January 18, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination to address service connection, exposure basis, and aggravation claims.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active service, and the appeal for service connection has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and is requesting an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether PTSD is a proximate cause or aggravating factor of OSA. The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bronchitis was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection and a rating of 50% for sleep apnea, but no higher.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment, as his conditions are not severe enough to warrant such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further analysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further analysis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and sleep apnea before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, right wrist disability, left shoulder disability, and psychiatric disability (depression). The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and her service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory disorder. The AOJ must attempt to obtain any outstanding treatment records from Dr. S., Dr. D., and Dr. W., as well as VA medical records, and provide the Veteran with an opportunity for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA lumbar spine examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) is denied. The increased rating for asthma prior to February 4, 2014, remains pending.