Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral back strain, traumatic brain injury, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant fibrous histiocytoma and osteosarcoma of the left lower extremity, finding that exposure to environmental hazards during service caused or aggravated these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing significant treatment with residuals and exposure to hazardous environments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical evidence and possibly a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The claims for increased evaluations of his shoulder and ankle disabilities are remanded due to the lack of recent medical examinations. Service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the right ankle, left knee, and lower back is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to address service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, IBS, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he did not properly file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) on the provided form within one year of receiving the October 2018 rating decision.

The Board has determined that new evidence, submitted after the prior final denial in December 2014, warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's contention is supported by a private medical nexus opinion and a VA sleep apnea examination conducted in May 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities, have resulted in loss of use of his legs for the purposes of eligibility for specially adapted housing. Additionally, he is eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and disability manifested by dizziness are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, bladder cancer, prostate hypertrophy, and calculus of the left ureter are all remanded for further development.,Additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is related to service exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries or events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder, but denied service connection for his sleep apnea. The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service and that his sleep apnea is not related to his military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for insomnia is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim on a secondary service connection theory.,The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, left elbow disabilities, and IBS are denied. No new or material evidence was found that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Headaches, finding that the conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a kidney disability, including kidney stones and cysts. The Veteran's attorney submitted arguments that these conditions may be related to in-service acetylene tetrachloride exposure, but further medical opinions are needed to determine if there is a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.