Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, joint and muscle pain, cardiovascular disorder, fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) is remanded. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, joint and muscle pain, cardiovascular disorder, fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. The claims of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy, joint and muscle pain, cardiovascular disorder, fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is remanded. The claims of service connection for joint and muscle pain, cardiovascular disorder, fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and muscle pain is remanded. The claims of service connection for cardiovascular disorder, fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disorder is remanded. The claims of service connection for fatigue and sleep disturbances, multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue and sleep disturbances is remanded. The claims of service connection for multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages, neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple cerebral micro-hemorrhages is remanded. The claims of service connection for neuropsychological disorder, bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neuropsychological disorder is remanded. The claims of service connection for bilateral cataracts, and sleep apnea are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts is remanded. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, residuals of traumatic brain injury, tuberculosis, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to April 28, 2016, and an effective date earlier than April 28, 2016 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also dismissed the TDIU claim after September 19, 2016 as moot because of a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left humerus fracture, left wrist fracture, lumbosacral arthrosis and anterolisthesis, left arm paresthesias, and left leg neuropathy and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, as well as addressing the conflicting evidence of arthritis in both feet versus no arthritis found on recent x-rays. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions such as sleep apnea, foot disabilities, TBI residuals, headaches, PTSD, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and back disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service treatment are related to his active duty service, granting the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from maintaining gainful employment effective from March 30, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no causal relationship between his OSA and PTSD.

The Board has denied a higher rating for sinusitis and granted service connection for neck strain. The cases of gastritis, insomnia, and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DM II and mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions, determining if sleep apnea is secondary to a service-connected condition, evaluating TDIU eligibility, and assessing need for SMC on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms first manifested during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the early 1990s. The decision is based on lay evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The claims for diverticulitis, IBS, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's additional disability, including lung scarring with decreased pulmonary function, chronic congestion/illness, low sex drive, heart strain, sleep apnea, and allergies, was caused by VA treatment resulting in hospitalization for neutropenia with resulting pneumonia in July 2013. The Board found that the Veteran’s declining white blood cell count was not communicated to his physician until nearly two weeks after it entered an alarming range, finding this delay inappropriate. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to VA treatment in July 2013 is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs further evidence to confirm this. The case is sent back for a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic paranoid schizophrenia, sleep apnea, and various fractures. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion.