Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low/middle back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, leukemia, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service or an injury during INACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and its associated neuropathies, and initial ratings higher than 60 percent for peripheral artery disease of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The remand is due to the failure to provide a VA examination and because there was no evidence of notice sent to the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 2, 2015 for PTSD are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and Vitamin D deficiency, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty. Service connection for dermatitis and urticaria (attributed to Gulf War Syndrome) is denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, atrial fibrillation, tinea pedis, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service onset or chronicity.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted and rendered moot. The claims for secondary service connection for alcohol dependence to PTSD and OSA to PTSD are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The low back disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, headache disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining outstanding VA outpatient treatment records and verifying her in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to address her current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of adenoidectomy and uvulectomy was denied, while his claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD or bilateral knee disabilities, was granted. The case is remanded for further evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including multiple sclerosis, bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness, retropatellar pain syndrome, shoulder bursitis, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis) resulted in weight gain, which was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the criteria for a temporary total disability rating have been met, effective June 12, 2018 to August 12, 2018. However, his claim for an increased rating and TDIU remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, COPD, and nephrolithiasis. The Board also found that his bilateral hearing loss warranted a 40% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, effective dates, and service connection were denied. The decision also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a pulmonary disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy with right leg shortening due to additional development being needed. The issues of TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations in 2014 and 2018 did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for COPD, liver disease, and sleep apnea due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has therefore ordered new examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bowel incontinence have been granted ratings of 40 percent each since June 22, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and asthma are at least as likely as not caused by or incurred in active service, granting service connection for these conditions.