Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, and his hypertension is not at a compensable level. The claims for service connection for valvular heart disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, an inguinal hernia, sleep apnea, and hypertension (claimed secondary to PTSD) due to insufficient evidence or examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied all other service connection claims. The effective date of the grant is January 16, 2013.

The Board has determined that the March 2014 rating decision was not final due to new and material evidence being received. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of his condition during service.

Service connection is granted for hypertension. The Veteran developed hypertension in service and there is no evidence of pre-existing condition.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability based on current audiometric findings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chest disability. The claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, hepatitis C, depression, loss of balance, sinusitis, upper extremity numbness, chest numbness, and increased ratings for a ventral hernia and surgical scar are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected thyroid condition. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and lumbosacral strain disabilities as secondary to a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, left foot fracture, and sleep apnea due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions regarding these conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to an in-service hospitalization for ear pain. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea and the VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and found new and material evidence. The claims for tinea pedis, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, respiratory condition, and neurological condition are all denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, effective February 29, 2012. The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 28, 2006. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on a single service connected disability (PTSD and fibromyalgia).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically not obtaining a VA examination prior to the February 2016 rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service.