Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions for the Veteran's knee disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and varicose veins claims due to deficiencies in the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, fibromyalgia, COPD, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The claim for increased ratings for psychiatric disability and atrial fibrillation has also been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened but remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to evidence indicating worsening of the condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for intrinsic asthma and sleep apnea have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to service-connected disabilities, including his hypertension and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, cysts and lumps, facial acne, headaches, and depression. The remand requires obtaining private medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for increased rating of PTSD and earlier effective dates are also granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board finds that it is more likely due to obesity rather than service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and fibromyalgia are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed all reopened claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the etiology of his disorder. His current lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome disability requires a VA examination to assess its severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Reiter’s syndrome has been granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as due to Reiter’s syndrome, is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Low Back Condition, and Gastrointestinal Disorder have been withdrawn.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or exposure to burn pits. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, primarily bronchial asthma with sleep apnea, has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation than 30 percent prior to September 19, 2000 and 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for TMJD is remanded as there was an improper reliance on a non-existent medical diagnosis in the previous examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence relating the disorder to service or a service-connected disability. The claim has been reopened, but new and material evidence is not provided.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was reopened due to new evidence indicating in-service stressors. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, ganglion cysts of the right thumb, and reopening a claim for right thumb soft tissue sarcoma and/or carcinoma. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration.