Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for Sleep Apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of a sinus disorder. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as directly related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relation to her military service, including exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate examination and the need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.,There is no direct evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral pain with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to PTSD, TBI, and GERD.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (OSA) is denied as there is no evidence of clinically significant OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for an eating disorder is dismissed as the appeal was not about this issue. The rating for hearing loss prior to January 27, 2020, remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's back disability began during or is otherwise related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU and did not render him unemployable to warrant consideration of entitlement to this benefit alternatively on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 18, 2010.

Service connection for PTSD and MDD has been granted.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy was denied. The initial rating of 70 percent for the depressive disorder is maintained.

The Board has determined that the VA's previous remand directives were not substantially complied with, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and sleep apnea are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues of service connection for a lumbosacral strain and bilateral foot disorder are being reviewed with further medical examination and information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his service and is related to weight gain from a service-connected psychiatric disability, granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon polyps is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.,For the period prior to August 16, 2019, the Veteran's claim of increased rating for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbosacral strain is also denied. From August 16, 2019 onwards, a 20 percent rating is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for a left knee disability as it was fully granted in a previous rating decision. The appeals for sleep apnea and reflux are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals are granted as new and material evidence was received.