Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that his current disability is etiologically related to his active duty military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The bilateral eye condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle disability, left shoulder disability and right hamstring strain. The decision is based on a medical opinion that links the OSA to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for asthma. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not first manifested during service or due to a service-connected disability, while his asthma may be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left calf disability, sinusitis, left hip strain, right hip strain, chronic airway dysfunction, tension headaches, dermatitis with rosacea, left thigh strain, costochondritis, and a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable disabilities. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records from March 2015 to the present and private healthcare provider records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DJD, L5-S1 (back condition).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as the impact of obesity on OSA.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease or vascular dementia and PTSD. The thyroid cancer claim is also being remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it is due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and lower extremities are both being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure. The thyroid cancer claim was previously denied based on presumptive exposure, but this decision is being remanded as well.,The Veteran's TDIU application prior to May 2017 is also being remanded due to the need for a determination of whether he qualifies for it given his other claims.

The Board has vacated the June 13, 2019 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions. The lumbar spine disorder claim is granted, but other claims are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and insufficient compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again for potential service connection, particularly in relation to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient examination addressing whether his current OSA is related to an in-service nose injury.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The Board also remanded for further development regarding service connection for other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision regarding whether a VA examination was warranted. The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his deployment to Spain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for seizure disorder and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% evaluation for service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted, but her claims for service connection for sleep apnea and for an increased rating for PCOS are being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the December 2017 Statement of the Case, and for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran has a distinct sleep disorder or if his complaints are part of his service-connected psychiatric disability or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right sciatica and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for TDIU prior to April 2, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew all of his claims, including those related to service connection for various disabilities and initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.