Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim remains denied as there is no physical deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining complete service personnel records and VA treatment records, verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand, and obtaining any relevant documents. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a direct basis.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with features of PTSD, now diagnosed as PTSD, is rated at 10 percent prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board has ordered a remand to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing on his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The hypertension issue will be addressed in conjunction with this process.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to appear for a scheduled examination and lack of proper notice. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is now before the Board.

The Veteran's lung conditions, including asthma and sleep apnea, are presumed to have been incurred during service. The heart condition is also presumed to be related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders and considering a possible secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus could have aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The claims for increased evaluation of chronic adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was rated at 30 percent from October 28, 2009 to March 14, 2012 and later granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective March 15, 2012.