Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is not the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, but he has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2015.,From May 1, 2015 to April 18, 2016, the Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and COPD, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there was no evidence linking the current sleep apnea and COPD to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of TDIU prior to April 24, 2017; ischemic heart disease evaluation in excess of 30 percent; service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to other service-connected disabilities; and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA audiological examination to determine the current nature and severity of any right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not shown to have current diagnoses of these conditions during or in proximity to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is remanded as no SOC has been issued addressing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to PTSD, diabetes, and/or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature that suggests a possible link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain with partial labral tear are granted service connection as they were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset. Service connection for celiac disease and psoriasis is also remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals regarding various disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disorder, adrenal adenoma, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to incomplete medical opinions. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, a heart disability, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. However, it denied service connection for sleep apnea as there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the disability was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's STRs are silent for complaints, treatment, or diagnoses related to hearing loss.,Service connection for back disability and OSA is remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the etiology of these conditions based on the provided records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back and neck conditions, as well as her TDIU claim. The claims are being returned to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, conduct a new VA examination, and assess the severity of radiculopathy from March 24, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or incomplete service records. The Veteran's complete service medical and personnel records, including retirement points statements and a list of periods of inactive duty training (IADT), active duty training (ADT), and active duty, must be obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his bad conduct discharge, thus removing any statutory or regulatory bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted service connection. The right wrist and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its relationship to service-connected bronchial asthma and obesity caused by left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.