Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

Service connection granted for Grave's disease (hypothyroidism) and readjudication of the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is required. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder (arthritis), and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and/or parasomnia, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection, increased rating, and TDIU.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and an incomplete opinion from a previous examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at a 70 percent rating prior to June 29, 2011 and a 100 percent rating beginning June 29, 2011. Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is also granted as secondary to MDD.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and/or fatigue. The AOJ must ensure an adequate VA examination report is provided.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The initial evaluations for painful scars of the left upper extremity, right lower extremity, chest, left anterior neck and left posterior neck are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of pterygium of the left eye and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to her active duty service.,The Board denied service connection for a back disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking the condition to her active duty service.,The Board granted service connection for psoriasis on a direct basis, finding that the condition began during her active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable from June 7, 2012, to December 5, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence showed he was not unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder is granted. The claims of increased ratings for arthrosis post left knee medial meniscus tear, lumbar degenerative disc disease with left sciatica, and left lumbar radiculopathy are remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded. His claim of an increased rating for anxiety, NOS is remanded as well. Finally, his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for cholecystectomy residuals has been denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis and pes planus) is remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim to service connection for a right foot disability, sleep apnea, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and MDD) is granted service connection. Service connection for deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, cellulitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include left ring finger condition, acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, headaches (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), and OSA (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder).

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service complaints of low back pain. Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal stromal tumor and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient examination reports and opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development including examinations and opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.,His current hearing loss disability is considered a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.