Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, but has remanded both claims due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal condition, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD due to a lack of medical examination.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee injury with resultant surgery and TMJ disorder. The diabetes mellitus rating is increased to 40 percent as of July 11, 2018, but a higher rating is denied. Service connection for DDD thoracolumbar spine remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to incomplete opinions and lack of evidence addressing potential service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for OSA and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability first manifested during his active duty military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and is being remanded.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of left lower extremity sciatica is denied.,The reduction in disability rating for ischemic heart disease from 60 to 30 percent was proper and remains valid.,A compensable disability rating for COPD prior to July 19, 2018 is denied. A 10% disability rating for COPD from July 19, 2018 is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability, and the Board denies service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin disability and sleep apnea claims are remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a lumbosacral or cervical strain, claiming as back soreness. The Veteran did not meet the threshold requirements for hearing loss under VA regulations and there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with particular focus on neuropathy and hip conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his active duty service or his service-connected PTSD.

Your appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because you opted into the Appeals Modernization Act system, which means your claim is now under a different review process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, OSA, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and a disability manifested by fatigue due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's ADHD, back condition, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The rating for the back condition has been increased to 40 percent, effective February 10, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for dental disability, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate disorder, hypertension (HTN), and migraine disorder. The Veteran did not have these conditions during active duty or within one year of separation from active duty. There is no evidence linking any of these disabilities to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a cholecystectomy and obstructive sleep apnea. The referral claim regarding coronary artery disease and hypertension due to herbicide exposure is also referred back to the AOJ.