Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the most recent etiological opinions of record are incomplete and requires additional remand for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as they are related to his death. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the processing of his death benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's respiratory, bilateral knee, and sleep apnea conditions are being reviewed as they may be related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board has found the January 2017 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded several issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied, but his claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded.,The Board will determine if the Veteran's alcohol use disorder was caused or worsened by his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder and whether it was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and OSA, as due to PTSD, is granted. However, the claims for right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim regarding increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his current sleep disorder to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vestibular condition manifested by vertigo, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache condition due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted in a rating decision issued by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) in August 2021. The Board dismissed this claim as there remains no justiciable case or controversy with respect to it.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to potential Reserve service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since November 13, 2013. His claim for TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that her symptoms during service are more likely related to her current condition than to any other cause.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is now rated at 40% effective September 10, 2020. Other conditions have been denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing a June 1988 service treatment record and March 1989 service treatment note.