Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected somatic symptom disorder.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, shoulder disorder, back strain, rhinitis, and GERD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain STRs from reserve and National Guard service periods, private medical records, and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and hair loss. The Veteran's vision problems, tension headaches, shoulder conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, and back condition are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is not granted for these conditions as there is no evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 26, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, but both claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also raised by the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and narcolepsy, finding that he does not have a current diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, right shoulder disability, and sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,New evidence has been submitted that may support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran’s sleep apnea should be remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum was granted service connection as it existed prior to his periods of active duty and continued after service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to a need for an examination.

The Veteran's DDD with spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 is restored to a 40 percent rating.,Service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma began during his active duty service.,The Veteran’s sleep apnea is proximately due to and aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected asthma and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected patellar tendonitis of the right and left knees. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran’s obesity, which he attributes to chronic knee pain from his service-connected patellar tendonitis, was an intermediate step between his service-connected patellar tendonitis and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was partially granted with a 70% rating from January 12, 2017 to March 27, 2019 and a 100% rating beginning March 28, 2019. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is directly related to his military service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea and a left ear hearing loss disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during active duty or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a ventral hernia is denied as there is no evidence of such condition in service and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for an upper respiratory infection is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for right hand dermatitis is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for TMJ (Temporomandibular articulation) is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology in service, and,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology in service.