Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims include PTSD, MDD, sleep disorder (claimed as Sleep Apnea), and deviated septum.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, including as secondary to sleep apnea. The reasons include inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to September 29, 2016 for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea was denied as there is no indication of an earlier claim being filed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for HIV and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection have been remanded by the Board.,No specific effective date has been provided as the issues are currently being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability in that ear.

The Board has decided that a VA examination for sleep apnea is needed due to the lack of adequate explanation regarding whether VA satisfied its duty to assist in scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion as to whether it is related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis or other in-service factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea and the threshold element of a service connection claim (a current disability) has not been met.

The Board denied secondary service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's severe obstructive sleep apnea was less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,Service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, claimed as ankylosing spondylitis, is granted. The Veteran receives a disability rating of 10 percent based on forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to his active duty.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran failed to cooperate with VA examinations and thus waived review of additional records.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral strain disabilities are granted with a 20% rating effective August 31, 2009. The Board has remanded the remaining service connection issues for further development.

The Veteran's bruxism is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and bilateral chronic myogenic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee disability were denied. The RO granted a 20% rating for the left knee disability effective August 14, 2019, but denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied, with the highest possible rating already assigned (10%).,An increased rating for the right knee partial LCL tear prior to August 15, 2016, and from October 1, 2016, is remanded due to evidence of worsening symptoms.,Service connection for headaches is also remanded as there is no VA examination or opinion regarding this condition.