Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his neuroma of the greater trochanteric incision and chronic lumbosacral plexopathy with radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that a 30 percent rating is warranted from December 4, 2020 to December 17, 2021, but not prior to December 4, 2020 or since December 17, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss are granted. Claims for sleep apnea, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, avascular necrosis, gastrointestinal disability, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, residuals of gallbladder removal surgery, sleep apnea, heart condition, skin disability, headaches and dizziness, and allergic rhinitis have all been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Issues such as entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, skin disability, headaches and dizziness, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 1, 2021, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome; service connection for shoulder disability; and service connection for foot disability (claimed as trench foot). The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a heart disorder need to be reviewed again with all available evidence, including recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea due to potential outstanding treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeals seeking higher ratings for bilateral shin splints, eczema of the right hand, hemorrhoids, and PFB were withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and her claimed Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by her service-connected disabilities, contributed to her development of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and reduction of his disability rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and review of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it originated during active service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a left wrist condition has been granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected chronic body pain. A new VA opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development regarding service connection for residuals of pneumonia, including pneumoconiosis and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbar strain is not related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board also denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred during service.