Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), mononeuritis multiplex, left wrist drop, and right foot drop are being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion and the need for updated medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is linked to his obstructive sleep apnea, which developed due to obesity. His PTSD symptoms are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. Effective date issues have also been addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a sleep apnea examination, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's current disability.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.,An initial disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to her service-connected cholecystectomy with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and nausea. The VA will need to provide a supplemental addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome were caused or aggravated by her service-connected GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition manifested during active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, fatigue including obstructive sleep apnea, stomach condition, and vision condition due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and hearing loss in the left ear have been granted. The lumbar spine disorder is related to an injury sustained during service, while the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, right knee disability, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip. The reasons for remand include needing updated VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or other etiologies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hand tremors, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence or further clarification of the medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and grants entitlement to secondary service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as they were not found to be due to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of submitted evidence.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in his rating for diabetic nephropathy. The Board finds that a new examination is needed as his diabetes has worsened, and this condition is intertwined with his nephropathy.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type two. His claim will be remanded due to the need for an updated examination.,The Veteran claims entitlement to a higher rating for bronchial asthma, which has not been evaluated in over 8 years. A new examination is needed.,The Veteran alleges CUE in his service connection denial for depression and sleep apnea. His claim will be remanded as the issue of service connection remains pending.,The Veteran claims entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, which was denied due to CUE. The claim will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient STRs and requests for additional records.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for carcinoid tumors is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of service connection for heart disorder, coronary artery disease, and psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder) is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.