Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right ring middle finger fracture and surgical reduction of hypertrophied turbinates, as well as his claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, a right-hand condition associated with a right ring middle finger fracture, and a back condition. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left kidney disability has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain new opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia but denied service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's insomnia is related to his service, while the Board found no evidence linking his sleep apnea to his military service or any other condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and pinched median nerve. For sleep apnea, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a direct or secondary relationship with her active duty service. For the pinched median nerve, there was no current diagnosis provided by the VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, back disorder, GERD, hypertension, right knee disability, and pes planus. The appeals are pending as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a stomach condition, as well as his request for an increased disability rating for residuals of a right ankle sprain. The appeals were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for frostbite, trench foot, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as there was no timely substantive appeal filed within 60 days of the August 2014 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for evaluation of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, as well as service connection for an upper back disability (secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis), are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record, including a VA opinion, upon which to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral tinea pedis due to incomplete development, including missing service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (stress) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed.,Claims for service connection for plantar fascitis of the right and left lower extremities, arthritis, severe joint pain, and tinnitus were all dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD, OSA, and hypoxemia were not causally or etiologically related to active service, including in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for skin disorders as due to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned to VA for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology and that the current disability is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are found to be related to his active service. The Veteran's deviated septum is remanded for further examination, as the evidence raises questions about its relation to his service-connected jaw disability. The low back disability is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are found to be related to his active service. The Veteran's deviated septum is remanded for further examination, as the evidence raises questions about its relation to his service-connected jaw disability. The low back disability is also remanded for a VA examination.