Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of cutaneous coccidioidomycosis, lumbosacral strain, and prolapsed intestinal cord status-postoperative hemorrhoidectomy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The examiner was not able to consider the May 1994 separation examination and the lay statements from the Veteran, his wife, and fellow servicemen.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding insufficient medical evidence to decide these claims. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's left wrist disability is denied as it is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's disabilities are found to have started during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to new arguments presented by the Veteran regarding a possible secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and remanded the other conditions. The claim for sleep apnea, essential hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and leukoplakia of the penis remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The Veteran was granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his pain medication for service-connected conditions, and a 50 percent rating was granted for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to its inextricability with another issue, and will be reconsidered after resolving the other issue.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability due to insufficient VA opinion and lack of treatment records from the time of separation until present. The Veteran is entitled to further development including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for an addendum medical opinion, and giving the Veteran another opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Veteran's back, right knee, plantar fasciitis, skin disability of the feet, OSA, headache, bilateral eye, and allergies disabilities are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities and if it was caused or aggravated by pain associated with those conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations as requested in the May 2019 Board remand.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, frequent urination, and to a permanent and total disability rating for eligibility for non-service-connected pension. The appeal for service connection for migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence in the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need to obtain and review records from Balboa Naval Hospital, including a sleep study results and any ENT evaluations. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to service.