Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to his obesity, which was caused by his service-connected bipolar disorder.,Service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and tear has been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.,For bilateral hearing loss, a noncompensable rating prior to October 21, 2020, and a compensable (30%) rating thereafter have been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that OSA had its onset during service or was caused by an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board found that the Veteran's significant weight gain since discharge is more likely the primary driver of his current OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to the Veteran's left knee disability, right and left ankle Achilles' tendon ruptures, obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to symptoms in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which was previously remanded. The Veteran contends that his obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disorder, IBS, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for cervical radiculitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his left knee, eye disorder, and respiratory disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS and right hip pain, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded.

The appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain status post lumbar decompression and degenerative disc disease is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 70% disability rating, but no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea with PLMS is not related to service or his service-connected dysthymic disorder, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea and an increased rating for CAD, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran's obesity is also being evaluated as it may be related to his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for asthma has been dismissed. The claim of PTSD was reopened and granted, but the rating assigned is not specified. Sleep apnea and adrenal gland disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of OSA, and that the Veteran's service personnel records should be obtained. Additionally, the Veteran's testimony regarding environmental exposure during Southwest Asia service needs to be addressed.