Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, liver disease, low back disability, and sleep apnea, all claimed as secondary to service-connected encephalitis. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by or caused by the service-connected encephalitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood as there was no evidence showing that his conditions warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current tinnitus to active service. The Board also denied a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, stating that the symptoms do not warrant an increase in the currently assigned 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during service was noted, but this did not result in hearing damage or tinnitus. His current tinnitus is considered normal and within expected limits.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Service connection for Erectile Dysfunction is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been added to the record since the last final denial, allowing for a readjudication of the claim. The Veteran's sleep apnea may now be considered in relation to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, is granted service connection due to exposure to environmental hazards (burn pits). The issues of service connection for headaches, bilateral foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and hypogonadism are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depression and chondromalacia, left knee was dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Secondary service connection was also established for right hip, left hip, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, presbyopia and astigmatism of the eyes, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, surgical scars on knees, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, total right knee replacement, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinea corporis and onychomycosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rectal fissures/hemorrhoids, malaria residuals, and service connection for TDIU have been granted. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hand disorders, and eczematoid dermatitis due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied an increased rating for arthritis of the cervical spine and asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, but granted a 10 percent initial rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that a medical opinion be obtained regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and exposure history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a psychiatric disorder are being reconsidered de novo due to the receipt of relevant official service department records.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU prior to February 16, 2010 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his back disability.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and OSA, but denied service connection for a left elbow disorder. The claim for a bilateral foot disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA Vocational Rehabilitation program file and determining if he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 31, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether the condition was incurred in service or if it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed with additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. The claims for service connection for gum, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea are remanded.