Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches is denied. From May 13, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence that the condition arose in service or was related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis and no in-service incident or injury linked to the condition. The cervical strain and lumbar strain claims were remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion on the Veteran's reported pain history and lay statements from his commanding officer and fellow soldier. The varicella zoster claim was also remanded for a medical examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the in-service varicella zoster condition relates to the current manifestations of the disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is not granted as there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea have been rated at 50% each, resulting in a combined rating of 70%. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including OSA and insomnia, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. The VA must obtain missing treatment records and schedule a medical examination for the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea are all remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability appeal is within the jurisdiction but not yet certified for review.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claims for service connection of residuals of a left eye injury, sleep apnea, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board dismissed these issues as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of left knee is granted, as are his claims for secondary service connection for right knee and lumbosacral strain disabilities. The Veteran's left shoulder disability claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The right knee disability, sleep apnea condition (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II), and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are all being reviewed again.

Your claims for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his sleep apnea (UARS) claim, as well as other issues related to his service-connected right knee disability. The special monthly compensation issue has also been identified for review.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including right shoulder, low back, bilateral knee, right foot ingrown toenails, sinus disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a relationship to service.