Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's claims for bilateral toe disability, left ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and sleep disorder), left knee condition, ear condition (infections), and hypertension are all denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within the presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of PTSD due to additional relevant evidence received since the last decision, including VA medical records and Vet Center treatment records. The AOJ is also instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records from the Vet Center.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to incomplete examination reports and new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, but denied the claim itself as there is no evidence that the condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including for gout, left and right leg conditions, tinnitus, respiratory condition, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, bladder disorder, migraines, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome of the legs, and a respiratory disability. The claims are remanded to allow for additional examinations and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, unspecified edema, and a bladder disorder due to insufficient evidence. The psychiatric claim is also remanded as it involves PTSD and depression.

The Board has vacated its decision that the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement regarding his petition to reopen claims for sleep apnea and adjustment disorder. The Board now finds that he did submit such a notice in January 2015, which granted the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied, and the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. A TDIU is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a right knee condition and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss and right knee disability are denied. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development.,Service connection for a lower back disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and depression), and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,However, the Board found that the current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's personnel records need to be obtained, and if applicable, a determination will be made regarding his presumed exposure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in and due to his time in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI cognitive residuals, mood disorder associated with TBI, and OSA associated with a skull defect rendered him unemployable from September 8, 2009 through March 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The issues include determining whether OSA is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by PTSD, as well as evaluating the severity of PTSD with primary insomnia, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness in feet and toes, headaches/migraines with fatigue, and dental disability are all denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship between the claimed conditions and active duty.