Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of full sleep study report, which may include relevant information concerning the onset of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain and associate the full June 2018 sleep study report with the claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for IHD is denied, and the case is remanded due to issues with service connection for OSA. The TDIU claim prior to April 24, 2017 remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disorders and other health issues. The remand requires obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and whether they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and he is now service-connected for lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left hip condition, and right hip condition. His increased rating claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected scleroderma. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found the Veteran's claim credible that he injured his nose during service, and a remand is required to determine if sleep apnea is related to this injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his lumbosacral strain. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions are now pending before VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from November 1, 2014 to March 2, 2016 is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete personnel records from the Veteran's Coast Guard service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or aggravated by it. The VA examiner needs to provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for eczema rash, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), epididymitis, lactose intolerance, residuals of vasectomy, and Gulf War syndrome have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by evidence, leading to denial in those cases.

The Board dismissed the issue of an effective date prior to November 1, 2020, for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP and UARS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service. The VA will need to provide a new opinion that addresses the Veteran's in-service symptoms and their relation to his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, but did not find any causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.