Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include right bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is pending.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and experienced symptoms during active service. The Board granted service connection for the condition, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of lumbosacral spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his military service. A new examination is needed to determine if there is a causal connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, gall bladder removal, a back disability, and a right shoulder disability are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for gall bladder removal is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right foot ganglion cyst removal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lower thoracic paraspinal muscle spasms and sleep apnea. The appeal regarding the initial disability ratings for these conditions is dismissed.

The Board has decided that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating a theory of clear and unmistakable error in the March 2005 rating decision and determining an effective date prior to February 21, 2013 for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and thyroid cancer residuals due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions, with a focus on whether they are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, paralyzed right hemidiaphragm, vocal cord lesion, or other factors.

The Board has decided that the current VA examination is not adequate to guide a decision on service connection for sleep apnea, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and coronary artery disease for further development. The Veteran's claims are not yet fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, and he is now granted secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability due to his cervical spine disability. The rating for ocular rosacea with chronic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye syndrome remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for bilateral lacrimal duct disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to new and material evidence received since the April 1994 rating decision. The issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records, as well as examinations to determine the existence and etiology of various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, PTSD and anxiety disorder. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.