Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition and back condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a disability manifested by orthostasis, claimed as dizziness, due to failure of the Veteran to report for a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran is advised that it is his responsibility to cooperate with the examiner's efforts and attend any requested examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining records of treatment and making findings regarding environmental exposures. The Veteran's respiratory disability is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service or an acknowledged exposure in Vietnam. Sleep apnea is also being evaluated to determine its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as there is no evidence of a direct causal relationship between his service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) and OSA.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for IHD to exceed 60 percent is denied due to lack of evidence showing chronic congestive heart failure, workload of less than 3 METs or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity within one year prior to May 31, 2011. The effective date for the increased rating from 10 percent to 30 percent for bilateral flat feet is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to the need for additional medical records, social security administration (SSA) records, and VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and OSA, but remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and GERD secondary to PTSD.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension or OSA. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and GERD were found not related to his service-connected PTSD in VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has current obstructive sleep apnea, but there is no causal relationship between his current condition and service-connected conditions or service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives and for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of medical evidence establishing a link between OSA and active service on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back injuries and ocular conditions, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability. The Veteran is required to provide authorization forms for any private medical records related to these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, and a new VA addendum opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and service connection for OSA, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and Alcohol Dependence, which caused him to gain weight. The Board has granted secondary service connection for OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in its July 2017 remand order, specifically regarding whether there was substantial compliance with the requirements for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination for a determination on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome or if it constitutes a new condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and xerosis (skin rash) due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's obesity, which is a significant factor in determining these conditions.