Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for sleep apnea, as it had its onset during her active duty service and has persisted since then. The Veteran's service connection claim for low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis, sleep apnea, and asthma have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his functional limitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset during military service and was not otherwise related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s OSA is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and OSA due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is conceded, but there are no presumptive conditions associated with his diagnoses.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claims remanded for further examination and evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions and whether there are any calluses on his feet.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his diagnosis of sleep apnea began during active duty and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent was granted, followed by a staged increase to 20 percent from July 30, 2014 and then to 40 percent effective January 8, 2020. No higher ratings were granted.

The appeal of the increased rating claim for a right knee disability is dismissed. The left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and/or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The issues of a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new one with instructions to consider the Veteran's lay statements of symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of active issues.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected, with the exception of a temporary 40% rating for lumbosacral strain prior to March 19, 2020. The Veteran's current claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, spine disability (herniated/compressed discs), cardiomyopathy with AICD, obstructive sleep apnea, and kidney disease. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain. The claim for hormonal imbalance to include low testosterone with residuals of fatigue and muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is also granted.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 23, 2019. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy.