Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2010 to April 26, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the case needs further medical evaluation to determine if OSA is caused or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disability and TMJ.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include urinary tract infections, a neck condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The current VA examinations were inadequate in evaluating the Veteran's hip, buttock, and leg pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the failure to obtain certain medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and it is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's GERD, left shoulder disability, insomnia, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, flat feet (pes planus), and tinnitus are not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for prostate cancer and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for a sleep disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disability because there is insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or service-connected left foot eczema and scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the accuracy of the May 2018 VA examination for bilateral hearing loss, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection.,The Board has also remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU based on migraine headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from December 14, 2006.,The Veteran was found to be totally disabled due to his service-connected disabilities as of December 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and whether obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral color blindness, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that it did not warrant an increased rating as his symptoms were within the scope of the existing 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD with spondylosis was rated at 10% from November 25, 2009 through November 17, 2019 and at 20% from November 25, 2009 to November 17, 2019. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20% from November 25, 2009 through November 17, 2019 and the rating for this condition has been increased to 40% since November 18, 2019. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral DDD with spondylosis was rated at 10% from November 25, 2009 through November 17, 2019 and at 20% from November 25, 2009 to November 17, 2019. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20% from November 25, 2009 through November 17, 2019 and the rating for this condition has been increased to 40% since November 18, 2019. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA began during service and is secondary to his service-connected mental health condition. The case will be returned for further medical development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected rhinoplasty, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.