Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's work capacity during the period from April 21, 2014 to February 1, 2016. The effective date is not addressed as it pertains to the retroactive application of a 100% schedular rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and right hip disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of bilateral feet frostbite injuries. The claim for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those involving right foot hallux valgus, left shoulder disability, GI condition, low back disability and radiculopathy, hip disabilities, erectile dysfunction, Achilles' tendon conditions, foot conditions, gout, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no direct or secondary relationship to his military service. The claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the right and left upper and lower extremities, as well as lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) has been granted.,Service connection is established for all claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to service-connected sinusitis. Service connection was denied for chronic venous bilateral lower and upper insufficiency with lymphedema, as well as left plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence, but has determined that further development is needed as a remand is required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbosacral strain prior to August 16, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral finger, hand numbness, shoulder, arm, and pes planus conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected, specifically questioning if it was caused or aggravated by an inservice viral meningitis episode or a history of 'hyperventilation illness' noted in his STRs.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to a presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is granted. The claim for an increased rating for anal fissure with recurrent rectal bleeding prior to June 3, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, specifically his in-service nasal bone fracture and subsequent corrective surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol was denied due to lack of a chronic disability. New evidence received since the denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue and sleep apnea were reopened as new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claims are still pending as the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a current disability or chronic condition associated with these conditions.,Service connection was not granted for fatigue due to lack of a diagnosed chronic condition. The Veteran's complaints of fatigue have been attributed to other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of a VA examination and an unclear etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's stomach condition other than IBS with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include PFB, lumbar and cervical neck disabilities, OSA, hypertension, and pes planus.