Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, COPD, OSA, and gastrointestinal disorder have all been denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for further examination and testimony evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture and degenerative arthritic changes of the left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, as secondary to his PTSD, needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding whether the obesity caused by binge eating related to PTSD has aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to potential exposure to asbestos, biochemical agents, or other factors. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to asbestos in his barracks, which may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated him for this condition, and all relevant records should be obtained.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and denied a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right hip disability and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for a right hip disability. The Veteran's right hip disability is alleged to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee strain and left knee patella malalignment.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for hypertension and OSA are denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for chronic disability manifested by poor circulation, to include stasis dermatitis, is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for vertigo are also being remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs further examination and treatment records to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being evaluated in relation to her service-connected hypothyroidism, while the back disorder claim requires an SOC as no statement of the case has been issued.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraines and leg cramps, chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to a lack of evidence showing a link between his military service and these disabilities.

The Veteran's right foot disorder, including s/p ERE w/ATR, is granted service connection.,The claim for obstructive sleep apnea on secondary and direct bases has been reopened but denied.