Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a secondary service connection theory for OSA related to fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a skin condition due to outstanding private medical records. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to identify any additional relevant records.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, but remanded the GI disorder claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated the sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary nodules due to in-service asbestos and radiation exposure. The Veteran's medications related to his coronary artery disease and hypertension are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to February 24, 2014 and SMC based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence in the November 2012 VA examination. The Veteran needs a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of their service-connected back disability during that period.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD or obesity. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to inadequate opinions regarding their relationship to hypertension. The Veteran's representative requested withdrawal from representation.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine, is currently rated at 20 percent and not higher due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities and/or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran was not granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The left knee and ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation, while the lumbosacral strain remains denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board denied any increase in ratings due to lack of evidence showing ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed. The claim for service connection for Barrett's Esophagus, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals are not granted as they do not meet the criteria for a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be at least as likely as not due to service.,Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and the case is remanded for further development regarding his obstructive sleep apnea claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence does not support ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and thus denying any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis, was not shown to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not considered related to his military service.,The Veteran's heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is not considered related to his military service.