Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board grants this issue.,The Veteran's claims regarding sleep apnea, right knee disabilities, left knee disabilities, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, lumbar paravertebral fibromyositis, and anxiety disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's OSA is caused by his service, specifically his in-service motor vehicle accident and subsequent TBI.

Service connection granted for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and PTSD), ischemic heart disease, and bilateral gynecomastia. Service connection was denied for borderline first degree AV block, gastroenteritis, and chronic constipation.,A 10 percent rating is granted for anterior chest wall syndrome with atypical chest pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right great toe fracture and hypertension/sleep apnea claims are remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC). The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the failure to issue an SOC.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The appeal for TDIU was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings as they have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal regarding a higher rating for left tibia and fibular fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 20 percent rating from May 1, 2017. The previous 10 percent rating was restored effective May 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, cervical spine with pain radiating to the lower extremities, sleep apnea, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II, subdural hematomas, headaches, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and alcohol abuse.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service. The Veteran's records do not indicate exposure to herbicide agents during his time at RTAFB Udorn.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of chronic kidney disease with hypertension and migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated at 20 percent effective August 29, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS has rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.,Further development is needed for the claims of service connection for exophoria and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea are reopened. Service connection for CAD due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes, CAD, or both is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Increased ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded for a VA examination.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected left ankle disability is remanded for a nexus opinion.,The Veteran's hypertension claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's back disability claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.