Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's stressor history needs to be verified, and his mental health treatment records need to be obtained from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's rosacea was granted a rating of 30 percent effective February 6, 2020.,Since February 6, 2020, the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for facial scars and back scars has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD showed sustained improvement and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The reduction of his PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was proper.

The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is granted. Service connection for a personality disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical examination in the 2021 decision, and the Veteran's request for a new opinion on his OSA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were denied, including reactive airway disease, spontaneous ecchymosis, skin disorder, and cardiovascular disorders. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his respiratory condition or knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected conditions cause or aggravate his weight gain and obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and updated evidence, as well as for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of flare-ups prior to December 21, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to several claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for rating and effective dates related to lumbosacral spine strain, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and OSA due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2021 addendum. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion from an examiner other than those mentioned.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran was unable to establish that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding its etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as 20 percent disabling from November 12, 2002 to July 28, 2014 and increased to 40 percent since then.,Since December 26, 2019, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence. The examiner will assess whether the sleep apnea is related to his service in the Persian Gulf or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete or conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, back disability, and left knee disability. The claims are not yet ready for appellate review.