Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc disease, are granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing disability.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's claims for TBI, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. His claims for breathing problems (now claimed as a lung disorder) and headaches are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea disability had its onset during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his condition and reasonable doubt is resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.,Both the VA examiner in October 2019 and the addendum examiner in May 2020 provided negative opinions regarding both direct service connection and secondary service connection for sleep apnea and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome, sleep apnea, joint pain (as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability), and memory loss have been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for joint pain and memory loss.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of lumbosacral strain, right knee RPS, left knee RPS, and GERD. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations and an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Chronic Headache Disorder (claimed as Migraine headaches with vascular disease), and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (claimed as PTSD with Depression) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the PTSD aggravates the sleep apnea beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, new VA examinations are required for her cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Veteran's skin disability, including rosacea and pruritis, is denied as the evidence does not show a nexus to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his current condition began during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active service and is instead a part of his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence supporting direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for upper respiratory conditions, pulmonary conditions, and gastrointestinal conditions due to lack of a VA examination. The heart disability and sleep apnea claims have been denied.