Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or TBI. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a new examination to provide clear opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2, and for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal to increase her rating for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as she withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a low back disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and tinnitus, as well as the etiology of his left hand disorders. The Veteran will need additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran is also having his right shoulder and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome evaluated as they have not been examined in over a year.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfills its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to incomplete medical examinations and remanded issues. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy disabilities are being reviewed for increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the current disability did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service and that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's OSA, GERD, and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. Higher ratings for the lumbar strain, radiculopathy of sciatic nerve (right and left lower extremities), right femoral nerve impairment, and cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, calcium deposit, and lumbosacral spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the lumbosacral spine. The previous rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was found improper and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and decisions for the Veteran. The case is being remanded so these records can be obtained.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new one needs to be conducted to determine if sleep apnea is related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to normal processes of aging.,The Board has also remanded the claim for sleep apnea, requesting an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected depression.