Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for Colorectal Cancer. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as it involves both granted and pending issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or related to his active military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected scars from an exploratory laparotomy. The issues on appeal include service connection for high cholesterol, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, hypertension, sleep apnea, and gout.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated evidence and determine if a higher rating is warranted, as well as to address his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his sleep apnea and his exposure to radiation during military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma and does not have a direct basis in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was reopened, granted, and an effective date of July 2014 is assigned.,Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 5, 2015 for his service-connected PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's hypertension, OSA, mitral valve prolapse, and GERD are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also established for the Veteran’s bilateral eye condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied, and his claims for service connection for OSA and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The case for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her right wrist disorder, chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, and arthritis of the right knee due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea with associated nocturnal hypoxemia did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a TDIU due to service-connected disability prior to September 26, 2003. The Board dismissed the case as there was no specific determination with which he disagreed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, OSA, jaw disability, and PTSD with acquired psychiatric disorders to include major depressive disorder and OCD have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his PTSD since February 5, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease, entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and entitlement to TDIU prior to March 7, 2018. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's migraines and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims for increased ratings of right shoulder impingement syndrome and left shoulder disorder are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for head pain on the right side, which is currently pending.,Service connection for sleep apnea and right hip pain are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with some related to his service-connected PTSD.