Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected back disability (intervertebral disk disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine) has worsened, and a new VA examination is required to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for OSA and a nasal/respiratory disability is granted. His claim for chronic headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of L5-S1 is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that her symptoms did not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis due to conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to extreme weather and jet fuel vapors during active duty in Goose Bay, Canada.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, colonic polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gout, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, dermatophytosis of toe nails, and tinea pedis are being remanded for further development as they may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, which is secondary to his service-connected CAD and acquired psychiatric disorder, has been granted. The claims for other conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected anxiety disorder and cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability during service and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical records. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no credible evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral flatfeet.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and fibromyalgia (as secondary to sleep apnea), finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gall bladder removal complications, inguinal hernia, left and right knee conditions, rotator cuff tears, and sleep apnea. The case must be returned to VA for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of in-service complaints or treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive airway disease, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to a lack of medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to his active duty service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disability, including hypersomnolence and obstructive sleep apnea, based on evidence showing symptoms during active service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it first manifested during active service and was resolved due to weight loss before reoccurring upon in-service weight gain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Prostate cancer and sleep apnea are now considered due to exposure to herbicides, while degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU is granted.