Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for asthma is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, associated with lumbosacral strain, is granted effective November 5, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the obstructive sleep apnea, including its relationship to service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The rating for the lumbosacral strain was denied prior to April 10, 2021, and since that date. The rating for the left knee chondromalacia was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, eye disability, sleep apnea, and urethritis. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 2, 2019 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for a determination as to whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives for a VA respiratory examination, including pulmonary function tests and exercise capacity testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service. Service connection for sleep apnea is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability, which is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was incurred in service, related to his service-connected PTSD, or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether his sleep apnea had its clinical onset during service or is due to an event or incident of his period of active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess his functional limitations due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for migraines and her claim for TDIU, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there was no causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. A new opinion from a sleep medicine specialist is needed.