Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as GERD and chronic gastritis), and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The examiner is asked to review additional records and consider the Veteran's reported symptoms during service, his wife's observations, and the diagnosis within 18 months of separation.

The Veteran's OSA was not shown to be related to service, and the Board has remanded for further development.,Service connection for a respiratory disability other than OSA is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during service or otherwise linked to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a sleep study and an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected asthma and/or major depressive disorder aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining cases or controversies on appeal regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and opinions regarding service connection for residuals of chondrosarcoma tumors of bone and soft tissue and skin cancer. The claims are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability, and therefore, service connection for his claimed condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service sleep issues and that he has had continuous sleep problems since service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory conditions and obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU and SMC claims are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent from November 26, 2018. The rating was granted as the evidence showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 15 degrees.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 18, 2013 to June 21, 2016, due to its significant impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right deviated nasal septum as a residual of an in-service septoplasty. However, the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of IBS, diverticulitis, and sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record. The case is also remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current sleep disorders and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stroke and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record.