Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for respiratory problems/sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability and against exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The issues of service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, hearing loss (right ear), a right knee disability, and hypertension have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is related to his service-connected disabilities (migraines, sarcoidosis, chronic adjustment disorder), has been remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity and residual lumbar scar associated with intervertebral disc syndrome were denied as there was no communication prior to July 31, 2012 that could be reasonably construed as a claim of entitlement to benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her left upper arm disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral spine disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and her military service. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for right and left knee disabilities, and sleep disorder are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to credible statements from the Veteran and his VA treatment provider, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms did not manifest during active duty and there was no evidence linking his current condition to any period of active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea syndrome, and bilateral foot disability due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to the evidence being at least evenly balanced as to whether OSA symptoms had their onset in service.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent for the period from March 9, 2010 to July 1, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his current condition is not related to active service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the condition and active service.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb disability and denied higher initial ratings for left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and instability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected OSA caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain in excess of 40 percent from July 27, 2015 was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.