Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for his service-connected scar, status post right lower lobectomy, are granted. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a respiratory disorder is remanded due to incomplete testing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea due to outstanding private treatment records and additional VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a compensable disability rating for left wrist ganglion cyst due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions, specifically regarding the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, tremors, and appetite and weight changes are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes is also denied due to the lack of qualifying trauma or injury.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for residuals of a lumbosacral spine injury is denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 13, 2010, for a 20 percent rating for residuals of a lumbosacral spine injury is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current condition began during and is caused by his active service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and therefore denied her claim. The right knee and foot disability ratings are remanded for further evaluation, as well as a new examination of the residual surgical scars on the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, specifically as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted them as to lumbosacral spine, neck, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The remaining claim of service connection for bilateral eye condition is still pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for testicular cancer is also granted based on presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. The remaining claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, right and left lower extremity diabetic sciatic neuropathy, hypertension, right ankle degenerative disease, and left foot hammertoes, are sufficient to render him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a causal connection between his in-service experiences and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to bilateral calf and lower leg condition and haircut bumps on the back of the neck has been withdrawn.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, right hand middle and little finger condition, left hand index and middle finger condition, and right knee condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination addressing whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in March 2011, and he has not provided any evidence that VA care or treatment caused his additional disability. The Board finds no basis for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension. The evidence shows that her sleep apnea is related to her PTSD, which in turn is linked to her hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disability. The case is remanded for further development.