Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for additional development. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again, with particular attention to whether it is related to service or secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's sinusitis with rhinitis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused or worsened by his service-connected deviated septum, and thus service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his symptoms do not warrant such a higher rating. The appeal is remanded to determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and umbilical hernia, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

Service connection is granted for acne rosacea, bilateral pes planus, and a bilateral foot disorder other than pes planus. The Veteran's left knee, right knee, right hip, back, and obstructive sleep apnea disorders are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and sleep apnea due to duty to assist errors. The VA examinations need to be supplemented with additional opinions addressing whether any current right ankle disability or sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The issue of entitlement to gout is also being remanded for the same reason.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right arm and left arm (peripheral neuropathy), and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion spanning C5 to C7 are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain all identified private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout, secondary to Gulf War environmental hazards is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disturbance (claimed as insomnia), both secondary to Gulf War environmental hazards are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbance (claimed as insomnia) is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder (including arthritis) was denied. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder (status post left knee replacement) was denied. Service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease and that his current condition was not caused by his service-connected residuals of a cerebrovascular accident and/or hypertension.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 15, 2011. The right knee disability has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability and sleep apnea or other sleep/respiratory impairment due to undiagnosed illness or Gulf War Illness. The claims are being returned for additional development, including examinations addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and development of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's reports of pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The issues will be reconsidered after additional development.