Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested withdrawal of his claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, sleep apnea, collapsed right lung, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, CFS, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, finding that it had its onset during active duty and is related to his military service. The issue of secondary service connection for septoplasty residuals was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a colon disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, and his left knee disability rating has been remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of the record to determine if his service-connected disabilities have worsened.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and sleep apnea are granted service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's increased ratings for his knees are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, is related to his service. However, there are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's other back disabilities were aggravated by service or if they pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not currently decided as they involve new issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to assess the severity of her skin condition during flare-ups or active phases, and to provide an assessment of the medications used to treat it. The matter will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain (spine condition) from September 28, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to his spine condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient response time, and the Veteran still has time to file a substantive appeal or opt-in to the modernized review system.

The Veteran's shin splints and knee issues are restored to a 20% rating, while her right shoulder and left shoulder service connection claims are denied. Her major depressive disorder is granted with TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in November 2019 was inadequate and did not fully address the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from a qualified clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are causally related to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, requiring another examination and additional records.