Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service records show back strain in 1968 and 1971. The VA examiner concluded that the current lumbosacral spine disability is less likely than not incurred or caused by his service, but a new examination with opinion is needed due to potential conflicts in the medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with intervertebral disk syndrome (IVDS) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

Service connection for depression, substance abuse, and sleep disorder has been dismissed.,Service connection for cardiovascular disorder is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for right hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for left hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for knee joint pain to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for respiratory disorder to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of patellofemoral syndrome and bursitis, left knee, and vertigo (secondary to hypertension).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of service-connected PTSD, TBI, left wrist condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are also being remanded.

The Veteran's TMJ and sleep apnea claims are granted, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Other secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and verification of his service on the USS Uhlmann in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,The Veteran's service connection claim for malignant liposarcoma (claimed as lipoma) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim remains denied.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and information from SSA.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims for sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, residuals of left fibula fracture, neuritis of the left foot, and left ankle scars are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension and kidney disease secondary to service-connected lumbar strain, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision also remanded his claim for service connection for headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at a 20 percent effective January 17, 2008 and at a 40 percent effective August 21, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing levels did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation by asbestosis and onset during service.