Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and sleep apnea are granted service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's increased ratings for his knees are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, is related to his service. However, there are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's other back disabilities were aggravated by service or if they pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not currently decided as they involve new issues.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to assess the severity of her skin condition during flare-ups or active phases, and to provide an assessment of the medications used to treat it. The matter will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of 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 sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain (spine condition) from September 28, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to his spine condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient response time, and the Veteran still has time to file a substantive appeal or opt-in to the modernized review system.

The Veteran's shin splints and knee issues are restored to a 20% rating, while her right shoulder and left shoulder service connection claims are denied. Her major depressive disorder is granted with TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in November 2019 was inadequate and did not fully address the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from a qualified clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are causally related to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, requiring another examination and additional records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a lumbosacral spine disability, hypertension, and a cardiac disability. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and addressing his claims of service connection for a depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea (including as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder), hemorrhoids, and tinnitus are all being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sinus Disorder, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claims for headaches, tonsillitis, strep throat, periodontal disease (pyorrhea), and sleep apnea are being remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's right and left ankle strains are each rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 30, 2019, and as 20 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent since August 30, 2019.