Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's right knee condition and OSA have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims for a right knee condition and OSA, which were previously denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and prostate cancer due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of exposure history.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea syndrome and an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and character of discharge, as well as to consider earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea in relation to his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease, as previous opinions were inadequate due to not considering or addressing aggravation.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various conditions and exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA have been granted, with specific ratings and effective dates. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his OSA but not an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective January 27, 2019. The Board also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for jungle rot, hammer toes, hypertension, pes cavus, and sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records from New Orleans, Louisiana, provide a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension, and issue an SOC addressing the issues of service connection for bilateral pes cavus and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for joint pain in the hips and knees, other than already service-connected left wrist and lumbar spine disorders, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 30, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD. The claim was received by VA on that date and a formal application for service connection was submitted.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disability as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and anxiety disorder due to another medical condition, but denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, vision condition, sleep apnea, rash, and restless legs syndrome. The effective dates were not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and colon cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral retinitis pigmentosa, TDIU, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's lack of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded as there are new stressor allegations that need to be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and missing records. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea will need to be evaluated by VA for service connection.