Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to the appellant's withdrawal request prior to a decision.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and headaches as secondary to OSA. The back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, skin rash on the elbows, bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU are all remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which had been previously denied. The decision also notes that the Veteran reported symptoms indicative of sleep apnea during his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and impairment of sphincter control have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of these conditions, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor for both issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The TDIU claim is denied as the Veteran is currently employed full-time.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities is remanded as there are issues with obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic strain lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings regarding the severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disability including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a connection to service or asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder (claimed as chronic bronchitis and decreased pulmonary function) and atrial fibrillation claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.,The Veteran's atrial fibrillation claim is remanded if mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in service is diagnosed.

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

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for prolapsed hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity disorder (claimed as restless leg syndrome), sleep apnea, and hypertension due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine strain and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's skin disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain under consideration as the Board finds remand necessary to obtain more specific opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected disability.