Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and a TDIU was denied. The Board found that the psychiatric disability more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent required for higher ratings. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran was deemed unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, specifically the April 2018 pulmonary function test results. The Veteran and his representative will need to provide any necessary releases for these records.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to low back disability. The cases of residuals of peptic ulcer surgery, sleep apnea, and asthma are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, TBI, and headache disorders. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, is rated at 20 percent effective October 3, 2017. Prior to this date, the condition was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and diabetes mellitus.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities or caused by obesity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA, Right Knee Disability, and an Acquired Psychiatric Disorder due to new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right eye injury and tension headaches. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an increased evaluation for persistent depressive disorder, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neurological disability and sleep disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the conditions and active service.,Vascular disease was not incurred in or related to service, with the onset occurring many years after separation. Sleep apnea has also not been shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it had its onset during service or is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationales in the medical opinions provided by the clinician. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as due to his service-connected PTSD is being sent back for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his sleep apnea, which he contends is related to his service-connected restless leg syndrome and tinnitus.

The Veteran's cervical spine, ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the Board is requesting additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.