Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction were found to have onset during his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service event, injury, or illness. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left elbow disorder, sleep apnea, and intestinal condition due to new and material evidence having been submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether retinitis pigmentosa is a congenital defect or disease, and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection on a secondary basis for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea as they are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because the RO corrected its previous decision and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is readjudicated due to new evidence received after the November 2007 denial.,Service connection is granted for acid reflux (GERD), coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,The claims for service connection for acid reflux, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service manifestation of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea had its onset during active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required, including obtaining updated VA medical records and requesting Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in the November 2018 decision, and a new VA addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's mental health treatment proximately caused his weight gain and OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the other issues due to outstanding medical questions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective February 17, 2020. His low back disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not manifest within a presumptive period and was not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.