Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, arthritis, dyspnea, heart disorder, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, and back disorder are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for obesity, sleep apnea, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and a scar on the upper left side of chest due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected disabilities. The right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cases of left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee instability associated with right knee degenerative disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease based on limited flexion are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and PFB. The claims for sleep apnea are remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea but excluding insomnia, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep disorder and whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated weight gain/obesity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records are to be obtained, and the claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and meniscal tears of the right knee, left knee, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence suggesting his sinus disorder, cervical spine disorder, and peripheral neuropathy may be related to exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The appeals are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities were not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 9, 2019. The Board denied all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of OSA and pes planus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Board requests additional opinions from VA medical professionals to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) from January 2, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD and weight gain, but further examination is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica due to insufficient consideration of lay statements in their decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand instructions. The claims will be reconsidered in light of new evidence and considerations.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea in the Veteran's records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and sleep apnea have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an extended period of temporary total evaluation beyond April 30, 2016 due to convalescence from his lumbar spine surgery.

The Veteran's OSA and pes planus are granted as service connected, with the presumption of soundness not rebutted for OSA.