Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is etiologically linked to his in-service injuries, including metal shrapnel and explosive concussion effects to the right head and neck areas with compression of cervical discs. As such, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's asthma and sleep apnea were evaluated, with the Board finding no evidence supporting higher ratings for these conditions. The case was remanded to further develop the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depression have been reopened. The claim for sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder is being remanded.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disorder (insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), and cardiovascular disorder were denied. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for papillary thyroid carcinoma, status post thyroidectomy was denied prior to March 24, 2017. As of March 24, 2017, a rating of 60 percent has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information regarding whether PTSD aggravated sleep apnea. A new sleep study is needed, and a VA examination must be conducted to determine if PTSD caused or aggravated sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disability and service or any other relevant factor.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The ratings for the other conditions remain remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a schedular or extra-schedular TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to incomplete records, particularly those from his Reserve service. The claims will be returned for further development including obtaining missing Reserve service records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, anxiety and panic disorder, and a back disability due to service-connected right foot disability. The VA is required to obtain records from the Oakland Naval Hospital and the Temple VAMC, as well as a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits as his income and net worth were not provided in a timely manner, and he was found to be permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's symptoms are accounted for by diagnosed conditions, and there is no basis for service connection based on undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current hearing loss is noncompensable.,Service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, was denied due to the lack of evidence supporting the presence of such a condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected status-postnasal septoplasty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to sinusitis and initial ratings for his knee disabilities. The decision also noted that the Veteran’s right and left knee disabilities are manifested by painful noncompensable limitation of extension, slight instability, and did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Esophagitis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.