Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for high cholesterol. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disorder is not related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, testicular injury, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea is determined to be secondary to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA examiners are asked to provide more detailed opinions on whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service, particularly considering his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD and is considered a separate disability.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence of record that links the current neck disability to active service. The disability is considered a separate condition from his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's dizziness was not shown as chronic in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and obstructive sleep apnea claims are remanded for further development. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess his diabetes complications and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and missing records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The increased rating claim for lumbar spurring and spondylosis with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected and his PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the period of the claim. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his weight gain and obesity, which were linked to his service-connected low back disorder. As a result, the Board grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative disease with radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) were denied. The Veteran was not granted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral disability, evaluation of left shoulder disability, and increased rating for left upper extremity paresthesias due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted. The housebound claim is moot as a result.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's back disability and OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lipoma removal from the top of his head has been granted. His claims for left and right ankle disabilities, excluding Achilles tendonitis, have also been granted with effective dates based on when he first filed his initial claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected conditions, and his headaches are secondary to these disorders. Service connection has not been established for anemia or right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and headaches are found to be related to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.,Erectile dysfunction is not linked to service, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for acetabular labral tearing and cartilage injury of the left hip, fibromyalgia (secondary to PTSD), and sleep apnea (both secondary to PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service or service-connected conditions.