Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder, finding that his symptoms are already contemplated in his service-connected psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability and sleep apnea have been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand these issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board also found new and material evidence to reopen claims for heart disorder, intolerance to chemicals, acid reflux, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), joint pain (including fibromyalgia), chronic diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and circadian rhythm disorder, but these issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), migraines secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to migraine disorder. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 0%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination and lack of in-service records. The Veteran is requested to provide additional argument or evidence, and VA will attempt to obtain his service personnel and treatment records from August 1973 to August 1976 period of active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU. The reasons include the need for updated examinations due to potential worsening of the conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms did not begin in service and were not related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of a prior claim filed before August 29, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint disorder are both granted. The decision on the TMJ claim is pending as it requires a VA examination.

The Veteran's dental condition, claimed as extracted teeth, is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is denied because there is no direct service connection and the Veteran's current disability is less likely related to his in-service injury. The examiner noted that the current shoulder disability is more likely related to time and age rather than the in-service injury.,The Veteran's right arm disability is not supported by evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.,Service connection for a kidney disability, claimed as a 'hump' on the kidney, is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting its relationship with in-service events or diseases.,Service connection for polycythemia is remanded because it has not been shown to be related to an already service-connected condition (hemorrhoids and hiatal hernia) or a pre-existing condition aggravated by the service-connected conditions.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion from November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with lateral instability prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD prior to November 29, 2011 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD from November 29, 2011 to February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 60 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD since February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,Total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for deviated septum and sleep disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have persisted since exiting service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and if any in-service complaints are attributable to a known clinical diagnosis.

Service connection for COPD is granted under the PACT Act, and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining a Social Security earnings report to determine the Veteran's income from October 2015 to the present. The TDIU claim remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and its relationship to service, particularly his exposure to burn pits. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disability that he contends is related to his military service, including his deployment in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 2, 2016. From April 2, 2016 to June 27, 2016, the Veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The appeal for TDIU is now moot as he is already receiving SMC.