Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left shoulder hemiarthroplasty is being remanded for further review.,Essential hypertension secondary to sleep apnea or stroke residuals is being remanded for further review.,Sleep apnea secondary to stroke residuals is being remanded for further review.,Osteoarthritis is being remanded for further review.,A chronic kidney disorder with kidney stones, secondary to osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further review.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), secondary to sleep apnea, is being remanded for further review.,Gout, secondary to a chronic kidney disorder, is being remanded for further review.,Coronary artery disease (CAD), secondary to sleep apnea, is being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his military service and concluding that the current disability is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and emphysema/COPD have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as they do not show chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor require tracheostomy. The current symptoms are adequately reflected by the existing 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The Board found that the evidence established continuity of symptomatology since service, with GERD being related to in-service heartburn symptoms and sleep apnea likely due to obesity rather than PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disorder, allergies, and a right-hand disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder (lumbosacral strain) and a right hip disorder (trochanteric pain syndrome), both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD status post ACL reconstruction.,Service connection was denied for a right leg disorder, other than right knee DJD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a neck condition, sleep apnea, and right hip condition due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.,The Veteran's CAD rating is denied because his METs level has not reached 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, nor does his left ventricular ejection fraction fall below 30 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for increased disability ratings for right foot condition, left foot condition, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Prinzmetal's angina on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange, and has also granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis, previously rated as intervertebral disc syndrome. The RO has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent effective March 11, 2016.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's service-connected rosacea, including determining whether systemic or topical therapy was used.

The Veteran's GERD, post-operative HNP of the lumbosacral spine, right Achilles tendonitis, and RLE radiculopathy with atrophy of the right calf are all rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 28, 2017 are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a heart disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and any period of military service.,For the heart condition specifically, the Board noted that while the Veteran contended it was secondary to his obstructive sleep apnea, there was no competent medical evidence linking the two.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart condition is granted. The Board has also remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the issue of assigning a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new VA treatment records not previously considered. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, along with related conditions such as headaches, fatigue, lightheadedness, depressed immune system, sleep apnea, testicular atrophy, and gout, are now rated at 30 percent each. The reduction in ratings is effective March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected chondrosarcoma, right tibia, status post excision via curettage and bone grafting has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.,The Veteran's residual scar of the right anterior tibia does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.