Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability or link to service. The Veteran's claim was also denied for right lower lobectomy carcinoid tumor due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Both conditions were determined to be not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye and sleep apnea disabilities due to a lack of VA records, including SSA disability benefits records. The case is also remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right thumb disability, right thumb scarring, lumbar spine disability, upper respiratory disability (diminished lung capacity), sleep apnea disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA is directed to provide examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is related to his military service and has been granted.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for hypertension has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition, which is related to diabetes mellitus, and for additional benefits for his dependent spouse. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Veteran's appeal concerning whether a November 1969 rating decision involved clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in reducing the evaluation assigned for his service-connected lumbosacral strain from 20 to 10 percent has been dismissed as there is no longer a case or issue in controversy due to restoration of the prior rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for dependency and indemnity compensation based on a claim of entitlement to service connection for cause of death, as well as accrued benefits for special monthly compensation. Additional development is needed due to incomplete medical opinions and potential links between service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is service-connected and if it was aggravated by his PTSD. The VA must provide an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability and left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for kidney cancer, sleep apnea, and right third finger scar. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically related to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint/disc disease and left lower radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent, effective from July 18, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since January 17, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings on this issue and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include sleep apnea, respiratory disability (including COPD and emphysema), gynecological disability, and gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and symptoms are related to his military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of symptoms since service and a VA medical opinion linking his sleep apnea to his time in Afghanistan.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The VA will need to provide an examination and opinion on this issue.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hand/finger neurological condition due to lack of current diagnosis and no link between the claimed condition and service.,Service connection is also denied for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to service, and thus granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to July 22, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of all issues in the appeal.