Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation are being remanded for further evaluation due to the submission of medical journal articles supporting his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and left knee condition have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for service-connected acne and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the disorders and service. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease due to insufficient aggravation opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and will allow him another opportunity to appear for the examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis. The Veteran's current neck pain and cervical spine symptoms began in his active service, as did his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability was dismissed because he withdrew his claim prior to the decision being made. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and chest pain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD and major depression, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.,Additional examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s unspecified depressive disorder is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s headaches are due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's sleep disturbance (including sleep apnea and insomnia) claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s athlete's foot is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with bilateral leg pain claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s hypertension is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's right knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's left knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's skin rash on face and head claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no nexus between his current obstructive sleep apnea and his time in service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary relationship with his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s dysthymic disorder warrants a 70% rating, but not higher, prior to August 28, 2007. For periods after August 28, 2007, his dysthymic disorder is rated as 70%. His chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and tender scalp scar are both rated at the current levels of 20% and 10%, respectively. The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle pain, joint pain, sleep apnea, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current condition and his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted, with the condition rated at 30 percent since November 29, 2017. The claim for TDIU benefits is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The initial rating for maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis is also granted at a 30 percent level.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a 10% rating. The left knee osteochondritis dissecans and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeals for service connection on all five issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.