Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his in-service snoring. The Veteran was presumed sound upon entry into service with regard to respiratory issues, including sleep apnea.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to the lack of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and skin condition, which may be related to service. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service or any other factor. The Veteran's current diagnosis of OSA was noted to have been diagnosed years after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an examination by an orthopedist to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and dysphagia due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and alcoholism as secondary to service-connected insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied. The claims for folliculitis and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that the severity of his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the appeal.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent prior to September 22, 2015, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities and OSA due to unclear opinions in the addendum.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including National Guard service records. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again to determine its onset in service or if it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected insomnia disorder. The AOJ should obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriate VA examiner to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) as the Veteran did not have diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.,No current diagnosis of a bilateral hip or leg condition was found in the record. The Veteran's complaints were attributed to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service or any in-service exposures. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.