Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to lack of compliance with previous Board directives. The issues include sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety), COPD, and left intercostal muscle strain.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or of the entire spine. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical records, examinations, and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically rhinitis and PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which may be related to his military service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence in full sustained remission, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including cervical spine disability, right and left hip disabilities, left wrist and elbow disabilities, psychiatric disability, sleep disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The effective dates for service connection are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

An increased disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) from April 30, 2007 to April 23, 2019 is granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 1, 2014 is granted. The Board also dismissed the issues of increased ratings for lumbar strain post-operative fusion and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (type 2 diabetes). Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and sleep disorder. The Veteran was not diagnosed with a mental health condition at his most recent VA examinations, but there is conflicting medical opinion. A new examination by a psychiatrist is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The VA needs to obtain an additional opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for left ankle instability and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and increased rating for left ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and sleep disorder (OSA) are inadequate. Therefore, these claims must be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee condition, and low back condition due to new and material evidence. The appeals are remanded as there is insufficient medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no competent and probative evidence indicating that the condition may be associated with his military service.