Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for fibromyalgia, MDD, diabetes mellitus and its related peripheral neuropathies, GERD, OSA, and a foot disorder. The claims are not currently resolved.

The Board denied service connection for polyuria as a separate disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are associated with multiple service-connected and non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with a previous remand order. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or environmental exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the periods prior to December 1, 2017 and from December 1, 2017 to October 3, 2019. The appeal for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for the period since October 4, 2019 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of adequate response from the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran and his former co-worker have provided lay statements indicating fatigue during and shortly after service, which is considered in relation to the Veteran’s conceded extended work shifts.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to her in-service injuries or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The claims for heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they were incurred or related to noise exposure during active duty service.,Service connection for acne rosacea is denied because the condition was not caused by service, but rather due to long-term sun exposure after separation from service.,Service connection for Bowen's Disease (Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ) of the Forehead is granted as it was incurred during active duty service and related to extensive diving without headgear.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral disc with posterior and lateral protrusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and surgical removal of osteochondroma left wrist with residual cubital tunnel syndrome, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As a result, the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 8, 2017. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, as secondary to a service-connected knee condition due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and requests for clarification on service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as a disability rating for lumbosacral spine issues. The effective date of TDIU and DEA awards is also in question.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, left knee condition, and right foot condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left knee and right foot conditions.,Service connection was not granted for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and active duty service.