Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD and/or back disability) is remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 10, 2015 is dismissed due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis and right knee medial femoral chondromalacia status post tibial osteotomy are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and a functional assessment of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis. The condition is considered to be etiologically related to active duty service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records from Palestine Regional Medical Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to obesity caused by his major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking OSA to service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine are now rated at 60 percent, effective November 8, 2018. Peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is granted with specific ratings.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private medical records from her providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and depressive disorder are found to be the proximate cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, tension headaches, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected herniated disc disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and left elbow scar are granted service connection, while his diabetes mellitus is denied. The Veteran's left shoulder disability receives a non-compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of whether a low back condition is aggravated by service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his lumbar spine condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and degenerative disc disease with stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin cancer (tumor condition), and respiratory disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus or PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide a detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by, or aggravated by, his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and private treatment records. The issues include increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, service connection for bilateral leg disability and migraine headaches, and TDIU.