Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher, prior to September 24, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and skin rash on elbows due to secondary effects.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to and/or aggravated by any service-connected disorder, finding that there is no causal relationship between his OSA and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination regarding service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of sleep apnea and PTSD are not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to provide a complete rationale for any opinion expressed.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the June 1983 rating decision denying service connection for retinitis pigmentosa. The Veteran's active duty ended on June 10, 1983, so his effective date is set to June 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for gout, OSA, and right leg disability to include sciatica due to issues with the factual basis of the previous decisions and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory condition, including sinusitis. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa with deuteranomaly was reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis of the bilateral feet were dismissed.

The appeal for service connection of bronchitis is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, left knee strain, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically focusing on the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has decided service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, but remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as variously diagnosed (PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with PTSD symptoms), and a sleep disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings due to new evidence received after the last statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and for a TDIU effective date prior to June 21, 2016. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis in the left knee, arthritis in the right knee, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals. The appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is dismissed as it was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, sinusitis, and residuals of tonsillectomy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied service connection. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to insufficient opinion regarding whether sleep apnea was aggravated by PTSD or if it is an undiagnosed illness.