Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, left wrist disability, sinusitis, residuals of umbilical hernia repair, DM, asthma, OSA and hypertension have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since November 2007. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is found to have started during his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is being evaluated for service connection as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis. Sleep apnea is also under review.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and denied service connection for lung cancer. The OSA is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for lung cancer was not established as there is no confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his military service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to link his sleep apnea to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and vertigo due to a lack of records from a study conducted in 1958 at Great Lakes Naval facility by the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 4, where the Veteran claims he was subjected to multiple injections of antibiotics.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition, and the claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development regarding whether they are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified mood disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service nose fracture.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, as the evidence shows that his symptoms began during active duty and have continued since.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his service in Iraq, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and re-adjudication due to procedural issues, including the need to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) on the claims involving the left ankle disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and SMC based on loss of use of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral hand condition, left ear hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are all granted service connection. The decision on left ear hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service or to a service-connected condition.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee condition. The case will be returned for a new VA medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected dysthymia and panic disorder, but denied reopening of claims for low back disability, hypercholesterolemia, and increased rating for dysthymia and panic disorder. The Veteran's symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent due to impairment in social functioning.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of status post cholecystectomy and diverticulitis. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine its etiology.,Service connection for PTSD remains pending, with the need for additional development including obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis prior to April 13, 2012 and his TDIU claim prior to April 22, 2014 were both denied.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome and lumbosacral sprain/strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded.