Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board vacated the October 2019 decision that denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and OSA and remanded a claim for a bladder condition. The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new evidence submitted after November 2006. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is denied as there is no evidence it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the psychiatric appeal, including claims for PTSD and depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to her service-connected hypertension, and instead more likely due to obesity. The other conditions listed are remanded for further review.,The Veteran’s claims for left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), right hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to unresolved issues and need for further development.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disability was incurred in, or is otherwise related to, his active duty. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include sleep apnea, are reopened. However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the lack of a recent VA examination and remands the case for such an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to in-service symptoms, as well as secondary to PTSD. The claims are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, associated with right hip impairment post stress fracture femoral neck, is not rated higher than 20 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to April 29, 2015 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from March 19, 2015 to April 16, 2018 is denied. Service connection for a right foot disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The TDIU claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, particularly sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as the severity of his back disability with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process. The issues of hypertension, left ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorders need further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or worsened by his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it began during or was related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue and will need to schedule an examination for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which they believe may be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, including medications used for PTSD and associated insomnia.