Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's back disability, rated as 10% prior to May 10, 2016 and 20% from May 10, 2016 until his death, is granted for accrued benefits purposes. The rating of 20% is maintained.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for gout, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the legacy appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's VA Form 10182 was received within the required timeframe to opt into the AMA review system, thus these issues are no longer under consideration in the legacy system.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations, exposure to burn pits during active duty, and obesity as a potential factor in his respiratory and sleep disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and her active service.,VA compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart condition has also been denied due to lack of causation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,Effective October 7, 2013, the Veteran's right hand disabilities (thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger) are granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion are granted. Service connection is also granted for arachnoiditis as secondary to the low back disability. However, service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and left lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left leg condition (left tibia and/or fibula fracture), and sleep apnea due to incomplete development. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, hearing loss, skin condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back disorder, and neck disorder are granted service connection. The right middle finger arthritis and chondrosarcoma claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the veteran's left wrist, right shoulder, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, bilateral foot or ankle disabilities (excluding arthritis), and bilateral wrist disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology and continuity of symptoms for obstructive sleep apnea since service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected condition (persistent depressive disorder and right hip limitation of abduction or bursitis), due to insufficient information in the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart murmur, sleep apnea, and facial wart removal scars are denied. The claim to reopen his facial wart removal scars is also denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted. The Board found that there were sufficient in-service manifestations to establish a current disability during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to his anxiety disorder were both denied by the Board.