Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for vitamin D deficiency, hoarseness, pleuritic chest pain (to include as secondary to a service-connected disability), heart condition (to include congestive heart failure) and to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, digestive disorder (excluding IBS) and to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, neck condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, gout, right kidney cyst, urinary incontinence, migraine headaches, and otitis media are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with a current heart condition. An additional VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any potential heart condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left arm and leg disabilities, hypertension, and a respiratory disability. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability (including arthritis) and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.,For the period prior to September 16, 2019, the Veteran’s coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent and has been increased to 60 percent.,Starting from September 16, 2019, the Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or secondary service connection to PTSD or diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD has been granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. The claims for reopening were granted, and new evidence was submitted in support of these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left leg condition, bilateral knee arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gout due to a lack of supporting medical evidence. The Veteran is considered a Persian Gulf War veteran, but no private medical opinion or treatment records have been located in the file.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 5, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including issues related to obesity and in-service chemical exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip replacement and lumbosacral strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants TDIU effective October 1, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing problems began many years after his military service and were not related to noise exposure during service.,The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, concluding that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's back disability originated during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during service and are not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, specifically for direct and secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating of disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, nerve disability, and stress fracture residuals. The Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected type two diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's service connection claims due to an error in not considering medical evidence submitted by the Veteran during his appeal. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and esophageal fungal infection are now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to a period of qualifying service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 28, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period.