Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a depressive disorder due to inadequacies in the current etiology opinions. The Veteran's effective date for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded.,The Veteran must provide additional evidence or argument regarding his earlier effective date claim.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and stenosis, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps and associated landings, which are considered to have caused his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for BPPV, OSA, skin cancer, and GERD are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain addendum opinions as requested.

The Board denied service connection for right-knee disorder and OSA, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right-knee disorder was less likely caused by an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD and/or obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition began during service and is related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands for further development including a new examination.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The kidney cancer claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, COPD, diarrhea, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran also has several issues related to service connection that are being addressed in the remand process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for headaches, right knee disability, and left knee DJD due to additional evidence being added to his case file.

The Veteran's skin condition, sleep apnea, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine disability, bilateral arm disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), dizziness, headaches, vision problems, acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, acid reflux, fatigue and muscle aches, respiratory condition, chest pains, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, arthritis, and sinusitis. However, the Veteran's former spouse is not entitled to SMC for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or relationship to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection, either direct or secondary to another condition. For his asthma, the Board granted a rating of 30 percent effective from January 16, 2013 until May 10, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was first manifested during service and is therefore granted as a direct service connection.