Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to new evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea as it is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. His right knee instability is granted at a 30 percent rating from March 25, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the issues of TDIU and SMC because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have resulted in a combined rating of at least 60%, which satisfies the criteria for SMC. As such, there is no remaining question to be decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a provider regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. The dental condition claim is denied as there is no indication that the Veteran’s claimed dental disorder involves impairment to the mandible or bone loss in the maxilla or mandible region.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back condition and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a Board decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to his PTSD, was denied. His request for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed obstructive sleep apnea and nail fungus on fingernails and toes. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the evidence does not support such claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and autoimmune disorder for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea arose in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to February 20, 2013 for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea associated with sinusitis. The effective date remains at February 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, but the claim for sleep apnea remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The decision was based on a VA examination which concluded that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is more likely due to alcohol abuse rather than in-service events.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to follow instructions in a previous remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of a nexus opinion.