Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for OSA, diabetes mellitus, right foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or were aggravated by service.,Service connection was also denied as the Veteran's OSA is not related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish the onset of sleep apnea during active service or to determine if it is proximately due to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's periods of service are unclear, and further verification is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The issues are related to exposure to hazardous materials while stationed at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to obtain an adequate opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records, as well as providing new opinions regarding the relationship between his psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, specifically if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Crohn's disease, service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to Crohn's disease, and entitlement for a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings related to his elbow injuries due to his death.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be related to service in Vietnam. Service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, psoriasis, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA and SSA records.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease and major depressive disorder.,Hypertension is presumed due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022.,An earlier effective date of March 23, 2018, for major depressive disorder is denied as there was no prior claim.,The disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is restored to 30 percent effective April 24, 2018.,A temporary total disability rating (100%) for ischemic heart disease following bypass surgery on April 6, 2020, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's nasal disorders are related to service, including his in-service diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea was reopened due to new evidence, and the Board found that there is at least a reasonable possibility that his current condition may be related to his military service.

Service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia and sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to chronic paranoid schizophrenia, is granted.,A 10 percent rating, but not greater, for a fracture of the right third finger prior to May 18, 2017, is granted. A compensable rating for a fracture of the right fourth finger and laceration of the liver are denied.

The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran required regular assistance from another person.