Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's current sleep disorder is related to service, if it was caused by his service-connected disabilities/medications, and if it was aggravated by them.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, back disorder, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability other than sleep apnea, left arm muscle spasms condition, and right arm muscle spasms condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU, but the claims of service connection for OSA and knee disorders are remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service or any service-connected conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish that PTSD caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, GERD, a headache disorder, a skin disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of adequate opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms since service are considered.

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

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a neck disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The VA examiner needs to consider two studies submitted by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, both secondary to his service-connected PTSD, are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scars resulting from multiple contusions and lacerations, other than those affecting his left knee. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also denied. However, a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as of July 13, 2015, was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, TDIU claim, and initial rating for anxiety disorder due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his sleep apnea and psychiatric conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation since October 1, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA medical opinions addressing the cumulative effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. A new opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 8, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and cervical spine disability.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.