Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his active service, but needs further evidence to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disability (including sleep apnea) are related to his service-connected conditions. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression), arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative changes of the left and right ankles, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, due to missing STRs and potential environmental exposures during his active duty. The case requires additional development to obtain these records and determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS causes or aggravates his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for defective bilateral hearing was reopened. Service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The initial, noncompensable rating for deviated septum prior to May 1, 2015 is granted. A rating greater than 10 percent for deviated septum from May 1, 2015 is denied. Service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and bilateral wrist conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing. The claims for increased rating for status post left knee replacement and neck condition are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for chronic maxillary sinusitis and OSA are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and a left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and an increased rating for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, TBI, and PTSD have been granted. The rating for PTSD has also been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's zoster herpes simplex is remanded to determine if it is related to his in-service treatment for viral meningitis.,The Veteran's blurred vision is remanded to determine if it is related to diabetes.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded to determine if it is related to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and need for further examination. The issues include pulmonary disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service, as well as its relation to any pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis.,There is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced on this issue.,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by his service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome.