Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, nosebleeds, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's skin condition claim is pending as there are no current diagnoses, while his sleep apnea claim requires further review regarding complaints during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination reports and potential aggravation issues.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed. The appeal for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure and asthma, as well as sleep apnea with limb movements, remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating increase claim. The Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, IBS, ED, OSA, and vision loss disability are all being reviewed due to the need for additional medical opinions or examinations.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease and left ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest in active duty or within one year of separation from active duty and are not otherwise attributable to active duty service.,The decision also noted that there is no evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's sleep disability, including insomnia and acquired psychiatric disorders (unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder), are granted as service-connected. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence is in relative equipoise, and the Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip pain, restless leg syndrome, intrascapular pain, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea associated with post-traumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and insomnia disorder due to additional evidence received after the April 2014 SOC.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral eye disability has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the condition onset in service.,Service connection denied for left knee strain as it did not onset in service and is not causally related to his service.,Remanded for further examination and opinion regarding obstructive sleep apnea.,Remanded for further examination and opinion regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder).,Remanded for further examination and opinion regarding a bilateral hearing loss disability.,Remanded for further examination and opinion regarding a lumbar spine disability.,Remanded for new VA examination to assess the nature and severity of functional diarrhea since January 2016.,Remanded for new VA examination to evaluate the nature and severity of residuals of left shoulder dislocation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes and/or PTSD, as well as whether it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye, knee, lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, right ankle, and left ankle conditions. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and bilateral knee conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's lumbar strain and posterior facet joint arthropathy are granted as service-connected. The right ankle, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, right shoulder disability (other than right upper extremity radiculopathy), left shoulder disability (other than left upper extremity radiculopathy and residuals of stab wound), respiratory disability (to include asbestosis), and hemorrhoids are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left index finger scar is not rated higher than the current noncompensable rating due to its size and painfulness. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left index finger has been granted.,Service connection for GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, PTSD, or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. Service connection has been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 30 percent, effective May 10, 2021.,A separate rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis under DC 5259 is granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective June 24, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for lumbar spine disability and sciatica are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's other conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.