Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected schizophrenic reaction. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a focus on whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as there are outstanding service records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 29, 2000 is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a determination of whether extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from March 12, 2018. The case is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU can be awarded on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Board has determined that there was substantial compliance with the remand directives and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from a suitably qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and reviewing existing records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development. The examiner is requested to consider obesity as an intermediate step in determining if the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his diabetes mellitus or other service-connected conditions.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it occurred during service or was caused by his service-connected right knee condition.,The claim for service connection for hypertension, stroke, and swelling in the bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent prior to October 1, 2021. From October 1, 2021, a 40 percent rating is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service exposure, including hazardous materials or asbestos. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and yeast infections secondary to PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral arthritis and right hip disability have been granted service connection with effective dates of July 13, 2017. Separate ratings for neuropathy in both lower extremities have also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and needs further evidence on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, particularly his reported fatigue since returning from Saudi Arabia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine his current diagnoses and their relationship to service. Additionally, the TDIU claim must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU. These matters are being remanded.