Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea and earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a claim prior to September 26, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current OSA and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active military service and is related to it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate previous examinations. A new examination is needed with a retrospective opinion on the severity of his service-connected back disability and peripheral neuropathy, including during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current OSA and his military service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his sleep apnea and prostate disorder began in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and obesity, as well as their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for Major Depressive Disorder, OSA, CAD, and Hypertension as secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, sinusitis, and thyroid disease are not currently service connected.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, individual unemployability rating, and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and dry skin conditions are granted as service-connected. The appeal for a compensable rating prior to January 13, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cystic acne of the face and head prior to February 3, 2013 is granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for OSA and left ear scar are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether sleep apnea was related to service, specifically if it manifested during or shortly after service. The Veteran claims that his uncontrollable hypertension in service is evidence of the initial manifestation of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the April 2018 VA examination and opinion are inadequate, as they did not consider relevant treatise evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his HIV, but further medical evaluation is needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to sleep apnea, as secondary to bilateral TMJ and/or malunion or nonunion of the maxilla. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a temporary 10% rating for conjunctivitis since February 3, 2015. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection is not established for the Veteran's current conditions.