Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The VA must schedule a VA examination and obtain an expert medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of left side teeth condition. The claims for service connection of sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board found that the evidence does not support a connection between OSA and either service or PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for a chronic urinary tract infection and remanded the issues of service connection for narcolepsy and sleep apnea secondary to residual of stroke.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his in-service sleep issues and/or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are now pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability (including fracture residuals) secondary to right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was not enough evidence to show it was incurred in or due to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disability, to include as secondary to PTSD, should be remanded due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right shoulder disability have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for left knee disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, GERD and migraine headaches as secondary to PTSD due to a new theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his time at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran’s reports of alleged exposure and provide additional records as needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a stroke, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran’s sleep apnea, addressing whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cases of right fifth finger fracture residuals and a right great toe disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Service connection for restless leg syndrome is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are granted as service-connected.,OSA is granted as secondary to the service-connected asthma.,Bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, OSA, and skin cancer are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause or aggravation of these conditions by a service-connected condition, additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD with sleep disorder), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and a nerve disability due to additional development being required.