Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease and right shoulder traumatic bursitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hypertension, drug/chemical abuse dependency, and a mental health issue. The claim for service connection of the lower back condition is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability, headaches, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left eye disability, and right eye disability. Additionally, an updated VA examination is needed for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for bilateral hip disabilities and sleep apnea, but denied for a scalp condition. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right hip disabilities.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a thyroid disability is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's heart disability, sudden death syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, memory loss, and vertigo were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner must address the Veteran's lay contentions and provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but denied service connection for traumatic brain injury. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral leg and foot numbness due to lack of evidence showing current disability related to active service. The lumbosacral spine disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was not based on a review of all available records.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 16, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, heart disability, and hypertension due to additional medical input being required.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the timeliness of the February 6, 2017 notice of disagreement and a compensable evaluation for left knee scar status post replacement. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability in excess of 30 percent, left knee replacement prior to June 22, 2016 and 30 percent thereafter, and TDIU are REMANDED.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the current condition is not related to active service and was not caused or worsened by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, heart palpitations, and sleep apnea due to additional evidence not previously considered by the RO. The claims are also being readjudicated in light of a new VA examination for his heart condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including osteoarthritis of both knees and several other health issues. The decision was made due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb condition, sleep apnea, and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma, sinusitis, and/or rhinitis).,There is no evidence of chronic conditions or presumptive exposure to environmental hazards during active duty that would support direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.