Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asbestos exposure due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence of in-service asbestos exposure and post-service diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The TDIU claim from December 17, 2010 has also been granted.

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

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal and unclear preferences regarding informal conferences. The RO is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from Little Rock VA Medical Center and update the Veteran’s VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has vacated its January 21, 2020 decision denying service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and has denied the claim outright.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to June 11, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from June 11, 2018 was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is considered to have manifested within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty in February 2004, while obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred or related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and multiple joint issues, render him in need of regular aid and assistance due to his inability to perform daily activities without help. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and heart conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain outstanding records and conduct examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not considered to be related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and the Board has therefore denied this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected scars of the left lower lumbosacral lipoma has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye condition (loss of vision) and tinea corporis previously claimed as a skin condition have both been denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the conditions did not have their onset in service or are not related to any incident or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as they were not fully addressed in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, skin disability (claimed as acne on the buttocks and bilateral legs), and sleep apnea to include as secondary to service-connected disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids, a fractured right hand, dizziness and falling, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been granted. The rating assigned is 20% for the lumbar spine disability.