Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his active service. The rating for the left knee disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, alcoholism, and panic disorder with associated depression and agoraphobia are granted. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia and service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were refractory to treatment and that his medication use aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and asthma due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated again with additional evidence requested.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to a service-connected disability or otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a facial fracture, including obstructive sleep apnea, a deviated nasal septum, and reported breathing problems, due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct during active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and remands for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. A new VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding the Veteran's sinus condition and its connection to service. The examiner is requested to provide a more detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's current sinus condition was caused by any in-service injury, event or disease, including exposure to toxins or allergens from burn pits, sand storms, and chromium 6.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations from October 2013 and March 2017 are inadequate to address direct service connection for the Veteran's foot disability. A new examination is needed, and additional development of the sleep apnea claim is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or any other conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and needs further examination for both sleep apnea disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities did not cause weight gain or sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5237.

The claim for service connection of lumbosacral strain is denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and unclear assertions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or clarification regarding his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete information provided by the VA examiner in the July 2012 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened and granted, while his left knee condition remains in service-connected status.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a permanent and total evaluation, and the claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected pleurisy, has been remanded due to the inadequacy of the June 2017 VA examination report.