Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by her service-connected low back disability, and thus service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has reopened the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since a final December 2007 rating decision. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to back disability and other conditions, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and its relationship to his service-connected hypoventilation/hypoxia, as well as whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The case is now remanded for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as he has not had a current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a lower back disorder due to procedural issues, but did not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability in the right ear, and left ear hearing loss was rated at 0 percent. Hypertension, GERD, cervical spine degenerative joints with herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulpous with radiculitis down posterior leg, right knee effusion/degenerative changes, left knee degenerative changes, and OSA were not granted increased ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a post-service back injury, and the Veteran's testimony that he did not sustain such an injury is being considered. Service connection for chronic lumbar strain is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or nexus to his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection theory.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and OSA, finding that there are incomplete medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep apnea, impairment of sphincter control, and left foot heel spurs have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an increased disability rating for sleep apnea prior to October 20, 2009 or from October 20, 2009 onwards. The Veteran's most recent disability rating was 30 percent from June 12, 2003 to October 19, 2009 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and psychiatric disability caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea. After resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is warranted.

Your appeal to increase the rating for your low back disability has been withdrawn by you. As a result, this case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the extent of additional loss of function during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not begin during or as a result of his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The preponderance of evidence does not support this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and blocked carotid arteries were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or etiologies linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete private treatment records. The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is being reviewed for higher ratings.