Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and C, low back disability, sleep apnea, and hematuria have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it had its onset during or was otherwise related to active service, including any exposure to hazardous environmental conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused by or aggravated by his PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current sleep apnea is unrelated to service.,The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was not caused by or aggravated by VA treatment on January 25, 2010 and April 7, 2010. The VA physician stated there was no evidence of failure to diagnose or treat the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD and sleep apnea are currently rated at 50 percent, but a new examination is needed to determine if the condition warrants an increase in rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and acid reflux. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss due to Gulf War hazards as an undiagnosed illness, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's October 2016 substantive appeal of his May 2015 denial of service connection for ED. The issues of service connection for alopecia of the lower extremities, TMJ disability as secondary to depression, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to depression and/or sinusitis with chronic rhinitis and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a lower back condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding other issues including increased rating for migraine headaches and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical records and a need for clarification on the nature of the Veteran's current low back disability, including whether it had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received, and a supplemental medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, claimed as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's chest pain with difficulty breathing is also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and cause of the Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and lack of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and left hip disability. The claims will be re-adjudicated after further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle weakness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, sinus disorder other than rhinitis, sleep apnea, GERD, skin disorder (claimed as skin lumps), headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for OSA, and increased ratings for DVT of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran needs a medical examination to determine if his symptoms of OSA are related to service, and an additional examination is needed to assess the current severity of his DVT.