Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability), DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II), and lumbar spine disability are not granted.,Service connection for leukemia is remanded.,Service connection for COPD is remanded.,Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder (claimed as arthritis of the left shoulder) is remanded.,Service connection for urinary frequency, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII with diabetic ulcer of the right foot or service-connected lumbar spine disability, and service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII or service-connected lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 30 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 20 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability); service connection for DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II); and service connection for lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for CAD associated with hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lipoma tumor on the spine is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an inguinal hernia, obstructive sleep apnea, and a lumbar spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's left eye disability is being remanded for a new opinion to determine if it was caused by VA treatment, including prescribing soft contact lenses instead of rigid gas permeable lenses and the delay in filling his prescription. The event must be reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including examinations and the provision of additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again to determine if her conditions are related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his period of active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA medical opinion is required to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for lumbosacral spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The evidence did not establish onset or a nexus with service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and the appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted. The claim for an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected PTSD and/or had its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to delays in scheduling VA examinations, and requests additional development of his medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of whether sleep apnea is secondary to PTSD. The decision on these issues is mixed as one issue was granted (bilateral hearing loss) and another was remanded (sleep apnea).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea claim should be remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary bypass surgery as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms of loud snoring and difficulty breathing during sleep.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.