Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a visual acuity disability, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to February 3, 2011. The decision also found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his entitlement to SMC based on the need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as well as for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, frostbite residuals, and tinnitus as these conditions have been fully granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea during his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and asthma caused his obesity, which in turn led to his sleep apnea. The AOJ must obtain a new opinion on this issue before deciding the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include lumbar spine disorder, gastrointestinal disorders (diverticulosis and acid reflux disease), fatigue characterized by obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case because there is insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his active service, including stress, as well as his service-connected tinnitus. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and schedule a new examination for the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heat casualty, a disability of the right toe, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that while he currently has a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back pain, scoliosis, cervical spine arthritis, left arm lateral epicondylitis, knee bursitis, leg and hip conditions, restless leg syndrome, nosebleeds, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, dizziness, foot arthritis, bunions, osteoporosis, hypertension, heart condition, insomnia, sleep apnea, myofascial pain syndrome, eye pain/dryness, gynecological condition (uterine cysts/fibroids), breast cancer, depression secondary to breast cancer, jaw/teeth pain, and PTSD. The Board found no evidence of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,His claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is remanded, as well as his claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The case is also intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cases of erectile dysfunction and chronic urinary tract infection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and low back condition due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his active duty service, including exposure to burn pits and oil smoke for sleep apnea, and wearing heavy body armor and gear for low back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to an undiagnosed illness related to Southwest Asia service. Service connection for pes planus was also denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating to 100 percent, but has remanded for an addendum opinion regarding his sleep apnea claim.