Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has granted TDIU since February 16, 2013. Prior to that date, the combined service-connected disabilities rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's OSA is likely related to his time in active service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a finger disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

Service connection is granted for hypertension, renal insufficiency, back disorder, neck disorder, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder. Headaches, Bell's palsy, and a disability manifested by dizzy spells are remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at a 50 percent level, effective the date of claim. The ratings for lumbosacral sprain and TBI remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional evidence, including updated treatment records. The issues of rating his service-connected disabilities and determining whether his sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to PTSD are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and left ankle disability due to missing service records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diverticulosis, lumbosacral spine strain and degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and endometriosis due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,Ischemic heart disease was denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, disability evaluations, and TDIU due to procedural issues and lack of VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and headaches, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete readings of the records by the examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his service. The Veteran will need a new examination and an opinion from the examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea; gonorrhea and its residuals; genital warts; and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinion provided by a VA examiner, and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, respiratory disorder (due to environmental exposure), and sleep apnea with insomnia. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations.,The Veteran’s left foot disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) have been granted. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's request for a temporary total rating due to treatment of his right shoulder disability is denied as he does not have a service-connected condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied based on lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The earliest reported symptoms are from after separation from active duty.,The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and erectile dysfunction disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to determine their relationship to service.,Service connection for hypertension is also remanded as there is no sufficient medical evidence to determine its onset or relation to service.