Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's knee braces, back brace, and medications caused damage to his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2013, which is not related to his military service. His psychiatric disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are rated as requested.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The examiner concluded that IHD was not present and did not contribute to COPD.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, tinnitus, left sciatic nerve disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sarcoidosis, hilar adenopathy, congestive heart failure, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and a skin condition. The appeals are pending for further review.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for additional examinations to determine their severity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if it had its onset during active duty service or is otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, but the appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's left ankle disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated appropriately based on their current severity.

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 related to his service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 100% from November 21, 2013. The effective date for service connection of schizophrenia is set to the date of application to reopen in November 21, 2013. TDIU was denied as his other disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his active service and his current condition. The Board also noted that the Veteran had gained significant weight since leaving service, which is considered the strongest risk factor for developing sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 15, 2012. A TDIU is granted as of March 23, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues regarding sleep apnea and hypertension due to secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, endometriosis, and hysterectomy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran is also seeking a VA examination to determine the etiology of her gynecological disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from May 24, 2016. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are also granted. Hypertension remains denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to provide an addendum to the February 2019 sleep disorder examination, addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service or is related to his active duty service. The examiner must also determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there was no current disability or in-service disease/injury related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tremors, as well as his claims for various other conditions. The decision also denied increased ratings for certain disabilities.