Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to January 28, 2020 and the claim for increased rating beyond that date is denied. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder (secondary to PTSD), and OSA are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow disability and service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Board also found the VA opinions regarding these conditions to be insufficient.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to June 30, 2014 for service connection of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability. The earliest effective date was found to be June 30, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to PTSD. The claims are being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, and entitlement to SMC based on spouse's need for aid and attendance prior to October 19, 2013 due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is also granted SMC by reason of his spouse's need for aid and attendance effective October 19, 2013.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection as it began during his military service and has persisted since then.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service experiences and his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were causally related to the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and chronic lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination in April 2018. The Veteran should be scheduled for updated VA examination and treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions were not incurred during service or due to any in-service exposure. The Board also found that obesity did not cause or aggravate either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her hysterectomy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and clarification needed regarding the presence of vaginal vault prolapse or rectal prolapse.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of the Veteran's obesity and its impact on his service-connected conditions, specifically OSA and hypertension. The RO is instructed to obtain additional opinions from a VA physician.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as the condition did not have its onset in service, is not related to service, and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal pertaining to the application to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, left knee disorder, and respiratory disorder (sleep apnea) is dismissed. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for seizure disorder and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is deferred until the other service connection claims are resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA, and he contends that it began in service or is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed to determine if OSA had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Additionally, the Veteran's VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.