Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's mesothelioma claim was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and the need for additional evidence, including medical records and information about functional loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and secondary service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination. The examiner was not able to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or if it is caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected.,Right knee patella chondromalacia and DDD of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the sleep apnea was aggravated by the PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD with panic attacks, unspecified depressive disorder and TBI has been granted. A 70 percent rating is assigned for the psychiatric/TBI disability prior to August 19, 2014, and from October 1, 2014 to September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for the residuals of a broken sternum, thoracolumbosacral degenerative arthritis, and injuries to the cervical spine and coccyx are granted. The claim for injuries to the coccyx is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion and the need for a supplemental opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, as well as if it is aggravated by service-connected rhinitis or GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for a depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia. The new decision requires a separate analysis for causation and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran needs a medical opinion from an orthopedic provider to determine if his current spinal disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The granulomatous pulmonary disease, with mild obstruction lung defect, is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence to support that OSA occurred in or was caused by his military service.