Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability, heart disability (including tachycardia), and sleep apnea are all under review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss disability, and arthralgia has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea, diagnosed following an August 2017 sleep study, first had its onset during active service when it manifested with symptoms including restlessness, snoring, and headaches. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea and his in-service headaches.

The Veteran's OSA is granted service connection, while his eye disability claim for diminished vision is denied. His valvular heart disease with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains at a 30% rating.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% since March 2012. The Board granted a 30% rating for GERD effective from the date of the claim, November 2010, based on evidence showing considerable impairment due to persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a disability rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for total right knee arthroplasty residuals from October 1, 2011. The other issues were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was dismissed due to his withdrawal. His claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate etiological opinions and a need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder are due to an injury that occurred in service.,The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service and aggravated by his newly service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is linked to his military service, and he also has a current diagnosis of migraine headaches that are linked to his military service.,The claim for a scar to the left shoulder and chest is remanded as records related to this incident have not been obtained.,The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea with chronic bronchitis have been denied as his pulmonary function tests did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, respiratory disability, and headache secondary to OSA are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU effective November 27, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was denied as the VA examiners did not find a diagnosis of CFS.,Service connection was granted for tina cruris and tinea pedis with onychomycosis, but the Board found that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim based on his credible statements of continuing symptoms since service.

The Board has found that the current medical opinions are not adequate to determine whether service-connected PTSD aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case is therefore being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's post splenectomy is rated at the maximum allowable schedular rating of 20 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition, as there was no evidence showing systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria resulting from the splenectomy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) in the initial decision, and the appellant's appeal is still pending in the legacy system.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.