Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by her service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability from April 4, 2016 to March 22, 2019 due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for various other conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connection due to the evidence showing it had its onset during his active duty.,Service connection for a chronic skin disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's initial ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma are being remanded due to inadequate development following the October 2021 Board remand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is requested to provide clarification on his periods of service, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if his obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain with early degenerative disease of the L5-S1 region was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, effective April 20, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his period of active service. The Board noted that the Veteran was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 2002 and had been prescribed treatment since then.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted with a rating increase to 30 percent effective June 21, 2019. The Board has also remanded cases regarding service connection for sleep apnea and a compensable rating for bilateral pinguecula and dysfunctional tear syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's attorney requested additional information about the qualifications of certain examiners and needs clarification on whether the Veteran's obesity caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded five claims for service connection, all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, vertigo, neurobehavioral effects, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to PTSD, MDD, sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, recurrent headaches, hypertension, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his diabetes and asthma are associated with or contribute to his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during active service or is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires additional remands for addendum opinions regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability, COPD with asthma, or tobacco use disorders.

The Veteran's OSA requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,PTSD symptoms cause reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. The Veteran has maintained relationships and employment despite PTSD.,Lumbar spine disability does not meet criteria for higher than 20% rating based on forward flexion limitations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient discussion of a potential favorable evidence and needs further clarification on whether the Veteran has sleep apnea.