Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The thyroid and pituitary gland conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and tonsillar pathology existed prior to service, or if it was aggravated by service. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include sleep apnea, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, shoulder issues, and a history of heavy physical labor. The Board granted the TDIU based on these factors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine from June 1, 2017 is granted. Prior to that date, his disability picture did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left wrist disabilities, left varicocele, and tension headaches have been denied. The back disability is not rated as it does not meet the criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's obesity, which was caused by his service-connected Lisfranc dislocations, is considered an intermediate step in establishing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in audiometric findings throughout the Veteran's military career. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered related to his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, finding no probative medical evidence linking the sleep apnea to either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues of service connection for back condition, left hip disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for another opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and missing medical records. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine needs further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea condition likely had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that his current diagnosis had its onset during active service and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of an examination, and now requires a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease, has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability had its onset during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various skin and eye disabilities, including those claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service. The VA will need to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.