Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a stomach virus to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, and initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the remaining issues, including service connection for a left hip disorder and PTSD with alcohol abuse and depression. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's periods of service and a need for further examination regarding his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and knee disability, have been found to meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since March 18, 1993.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is directly related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The appeal for tuberculosis service connection is dismissed.,Service connection granted for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to intrinsic restrictive lung disease and unspecified anxiety disorder secondary to intrinsic restrictive lung disease.,A 30 percent rating was granted for intrinsic restrictive lung disease from November 14, 2012 to November 16, 2016. The issue of a higher initial rating is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but the other issues related to chronic joint and muscle pain of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbances are remanded due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 50 percent effective June 18, 2012. The temporary total disability rating for degenerative disc disease with arthritis from September 12, 2014 to September 29, 2014 is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chondromalacia of the left patellofemoral joint are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and sleep apnea disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his hypothyroidism and sleep apnea service connection claims, and the arthritis, back condition, neck condition, high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer residuals, coronary artery disease, scar due to coronary artery bypass grafting, scar due to radical prostatectomy, PTSD, and rating increase claims have all been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is remanded for a new VA examination to assess functional loss and range of motion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor (prostate cancer), vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and military service.,There is insufficient evidence to presume exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea cruris, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a cognitive disability. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including OSA, knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other chronic acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea due to herbicide exposure as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, and provide him with a notice letter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for dysplasia.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.