Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA audiology evaluation to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The back, knee, sleep apnea, and sinus issues are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for hypertension, sleep disorder (OSA), GERD, erectile dysfunction, prostate disorder, skin disorder, and respiratory disorder, as well as special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability (including right knee strain, degenerative arthritis, and medial compartment narrowing), and left knee strain were all granted service connection. The Veteran's clavicular pain was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Acne vulgaris was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for the right shoulder disorder was reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a worsening of his disabilities since the last examination, requiring an updated VA medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including arrhythmia, right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, cognitive disorder, left ear hearing loss, IBS with GERD, hemorrhoids, and migraines. The claims are being remanded to allow further development.

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

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to review his medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her active duty and National Guard service, particularly concerning ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods from 2003 to 2009. The appellant must provide verification of these periods and any related treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as the last VA examinations were conducted in October 2014, which is considered too old to accurately assess his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused or chronically worsened by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring is granted. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran's primary care provider, who diagnosed OSA and opined that it likely began during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of examination and opinion regarding its onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not related to any event or injury during his active duty.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and chest pain was denied. The Board found new and material evidence for the TBI claim.,Sleep apnea, left elbow disability, left shoulder bursitis, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right pubic tendonitis, left ankle disability, right ankle sprain, left eye injury, stomach pain, kidney stones, service-connected cyst on the right side of the face, numbness in left hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome), leg pain (left and right), and uncontrollable twitching and pain were all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, respiratory symptoms, and obstructive sleep apnea due to unresolved issues. The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate examination evidence, specifically regarding a lumbosacral spine disability. The Veteran contends that his current condition is related to service-connected right and left knee disabilities.