Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective September 23, 2019. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but denied the Veteran's claims for left leg, right leg, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as sleep apnea and hypertension. The case is remanded to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for dry eye syndrome and dermatitis have been withdrawn.,His claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea related to depressive disorder, and headaches related to depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has restored service connection for cardiomyopathy with acute renal failure, which was previously severed due to the Veteran's history of substance abuse. The claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of depression or sleep apnea related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on the opinion of Dr. K.F., who stated that the Veteran's sleep apnea was likely due to obesity caused by his PTSD medications.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected insomnia, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, tinnitus, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities were reopened. However, these claims remain denied as there is no evidence linking any current disabilities to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with TBI, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and neurocognitive disorder. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, skin disability, and GERD as well as his request for an increased rating for anxiety disorder. The decision is based on the evidence of record without requiring additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. Diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of the VA regulations, as she is currently employed and does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, organic brain syndrome, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability. The issues are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's back disability is denied, but his sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,No new evidence was presented to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed during active duty service and is granted as a direct result of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, specifically back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran needs a VA examination to provide an opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the untimely filing of his VA Form 9. The issue will be readjudicated after obtaining new medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a prostate condition.