Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches due to insufficient reasoning in the private medical opinions provided. VA examinations are required to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's DDD of the low back is rated at 40 percent effective November 3, 2018. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected disabilities or chemical exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in a previous rating decision, but the Board has now granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The grant is based on aggravation of an already service-connected condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a new opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, complications of diabetes mellitus including loss of vision, and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that they are not related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain as the result of scoliosis with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc disease is granted a 40 percent rating prior to September 30, 2019. A rating in excess of 20 percent since September 30, 2019 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions are secondary to service-connected PTSD. The decision also found that OSA aggravated the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, vertigo/dizziness, bilateral knee conditions, and skin diseases have been granted. The claim for CFS was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection as they had onset during active duty.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to December 5, 2016, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate notice and scheduling for a VA sleep apnea examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

Service connection granted for bipolar disorder and OSA. Right knee, left knee, and hypertension service connection denied.,Effective dates for headaches, low back disability, and radiculopathy are set to July 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to verify his military service. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For his head injury, the Board found no evidence of a preexisting condition noted at entry into service. The Veteran was unable to establish aggravation of this condition during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome with CPAP, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, but has remanded for further examination to determine if a separate rating is warranted for incontinence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

Service connection is granted for a neck condition, right shoulder condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.,The heart condition issue remains pending as it requires additional development.