Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to personal needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has partially vacated the December 2018 decision, addressing service connection for schizophrenia and headaches. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as it cannot be granted on a secondary basis due to denial of service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 11, 2019 for lumbosacral DDD and a rating in excess of 20 percent since April 11, 2019 for lumbosacral DDD.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the conditions preexisted service or were not incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and lumbar spine disability.

Service connection granted for sinusitis. Effective date prior to February 19, 2014.,Service connection denied for left and right shin splints. Effective dates prior to February 19, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, effective March 30, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for stomach acid disorder (GERD) and sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of an in-service injury, event, or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome due to Gulf War service. Service connection for fibromyalgia was granted but is no longer on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine, left knee, right knee, and traumatic arthritis disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if sleep apnea is related to service or any incident thereof, and whether it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral disorder, finding that his current condition is related to his military service and not due to intercurrent causes.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted, effective March 22, 2019. The evidence showed that the Veteran needed help with most activities of daily living due to his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a healed open dislocation of the left fifth digit at the PIP joint, a scar on the left hand, and right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,Service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss was also denied.