Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the appeals regarding right upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder impingement.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it did not have onset during the Veteran's period of active duty and is not otherwise related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also found no secondary service connection as PTSD does not cause or aggravate sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that there may be outstanding VA treatment records related to the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and needs an addendum opinion regarding whether her condition is secondary to service-connected PTSD or deviated nasal septum status post septorhinoplasty.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of July 25, 2014. The decision also states that no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, L1 vertebral compression fracture, multilevel facet changes and osteophytes at C3 through C7 along with multilevel degenerative disc disease, tension headaches, and right shoulder disability are all granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disorder and right elbow are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, and for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 30 percent rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds that a new examination and opinion is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it is not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or aggravation by PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease and hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of medical evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent, and no higher, for actinic keratosis with rosacea is granted. The claims for scars from multiple nevi of the face and trunk are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, which is due to his service-connected knee and foot disabilities, caused his sleep apnea. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, right arm disability, and a right knee disability are being remanded as there have not been VA examinations addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims on appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his deployment in Iraq. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 30 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied because he is currently employed and able to work.