Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist prior to the January and February 2017 rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate VA examination and considering submitted statements. The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee joint pain, bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis that would support these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may have been incurred during service, but needs further examination to confirm this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral arm, shoulder, hip, knee, neck, and sleep apnea, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a sleep disorder, including insomnia and sleep apnea, is remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue includes consideration of whether his current sleep disorders are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of definitive evidence linking his current condition to his military service. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, and blurred vision due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there were manifestations of the condition in service and granting it as a direct result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Board will consider all issues on appeal once this process is completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for ulnar nerve entrapment, right arm (major).,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was incurred or related to his military service. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion linking the Veteran's current OSA to his service-connected gastric ulcer condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of initial manifestation during active service and no causal relationship to such service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a July 2010 VA examination that denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran needs an additional opinion from a VA examiner to determine if the condition is congenital or acquired, and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, and loss of sense of smell are reopened.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, as there are conflicting medical records and no opinion on service connection was provided.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of spine disorder, left knee disorder, and left foot disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral spine IVDS with DDD and DJD, status post fusion at L5-S1 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar or entire spine (thoracolumbar and cervical) to warrant a 50 or 100 percent disability rating.