Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation of vocal cord dyskinesia is granted.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for vocal cord dyskinesia is denied.

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

Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and cyst on the left side of head, as well as bilateral foot skin disability (including dermatitis and fungus).

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected asthma/COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to incomplete records and inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record. The AOJ will review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and ocular hypertension due to new evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary atherosclerosis, ulcerative colitis (formerly irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic fatigue.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report, and the claim must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastritis, right hand tremors, and right leg condition due to insufficient evidence. The claims for acquired psychiatric condition and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the condition having onset during active service.,Service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,Lumbar spine multi-level degenerative disc disease and right elbow lateral epicondylitis status post tendon repair are remanded due to unclear periods of service.,Plantar fasciitis and hypogonadism/low testosterone are also remanded, with the same issue regarding unclear periods of service.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded.

The claim for service connection for a dental disability to include treatment purposes only is remanded.,The issues of service connection for skin, eye, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.,The issue of service connection for prostate disability is remanded.,The issues of service connection for hypertension, thyroid disability, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are remanded.,The issues of effective date prior to December 12, 1989, for PTSD; initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and retroactive VA compensation benefits are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a tracheal windpipe condition is denied due to lack of evidence of such condition during or recent to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities or medications have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is asked to address if weight gain from lower extremity conditions and psychiatric disability, as well as medication effects, have contributed to the development of OSA.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations as the appellant's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to December 20, 2010 and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for migraine headaches was granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and service connection for fibromyalgia is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective December 11, 2018.,Service connection for COPD and hypertension are both denied. The Veteran's MDD is found to aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and sleep apnea due to additional evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain disability, finding no evidence linking his current back condition to his active military service.