Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has vacated its October 2018 decision, which denied higher rating and earlier effective date for award of service connection for sinus headaches; and denied the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The case is now remanded to determine if there are any new or material evidence that could support reopening the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding his TBI, OSA, surgically-repaired hernia, right knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records, schedule examinations, and determine the nature and extent of residuals from in-service TBIs, etiology of sleep apnea, relationship between current abdominal hernia and service, potential for right knee disability related to service, and whether erectile dysfunction is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis and service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings were not warranted, and there was no medical evidence or opinion linking the Veteran's sleep disorder to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain (claimed as back condition initial GWS) and service connection for epilepsy. The issue of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as his left lower extremity condition. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbosacral strain rating claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea rating is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and reopened the previously denied claims of bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic skin disorder. The issues related to increased ratings for right elbow, cervical spine, right elbow scar, and neck scar are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and bilateral hearing loss disability due to their withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 1, 2014 for a 50% disability rating for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. This decision is based on the medical evidence showing that the condition was present and requiring treatment as early as March 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to aggravate his sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for the latter condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its relation to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's testimony and wife's observations suggest his sleep problems may have started in service, but further examination is needed to determine if this is true.

The Veteran's cause of death was liposarcoma. The Board is remanding the case to determine if herbicide exposure at George Air Force Base contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and hiatal hernia, but remanded the issue of sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding the onset of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of OSA, GERD, high cholesterol, and a bilateral foot disability are all being returned to VA for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for splenectomy and sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to incomplete records, and the RO must attempt to obtain any missing records related to his 1995 diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not present during service or related to his military service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.