Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to outstanding treatment records, including those from Dr. Miller.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating, effective October 18, 2019. Other claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and post-concussion syndrome with insomnia disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written correspondence, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's depression and sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,A higher rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is granted, effective January 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to service, caused by a service-connected condition, or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it is at least as likely as not incurred during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have started during his service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for low back disability, finding that it is aggravated by pre-existing service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, left knee instability, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, including for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), enlarged prostate, Parkinson's Disease, ischemic heart disease, colon disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served in an area near the Korean DMZ where herbicides were applied.

Your appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and fracture right hand have been dismissed as you requested to withdraw them.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney disorder, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding exposure to toxic chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) at Wurtsmith Air Force Base.

The Veteran's headaches are granted with a 30% rating prior to January 20, 2019 and a 50% rating from that date onwards. The claims for sleep apnea, kidney condition, bilateral pes cavus, rib condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected sinusitis.,There is no evidence of a current seizure disorder during the appeal period, and therefore service connection for a seizure disorder is denied.,Pneumonia is remanded as there are no records documenting treatment during the appeal period. The Veteran should provide authorized records from any physician or facility where he received treatment.,Tremor disability is remanded as the Veteran's lay statements concerning hand tremors in service need to be addressed by a VA examiner.,Back and neck disabilities are remanded as the Veteran's lay statements about back pain during service need to be considered. The Veteran should provide authorized records from any physician or facility where he received treatment for his radiculopathy.,Bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity radiculopathies are remanded in conjunction with the Veteran's neck and back disabilities, as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, right foot disability (hammertoes with corns), and left foot disability (hammertoes with corns) has been granted. The appeal for increased evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral foot disabilities was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a right knee disability and a left knee disability is remanded.