Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for reopening of the previously denied claims of service connection for a left foot disability was granted. The claims for right hand, left hand, and sleep issues were not supported by evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus evaluations remain at their current levels.

The Veteran's OSA is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition, which has been diagnosed since 2013. The examiner will consider the Veteran’s reports of symptoms during service and a witness statement regarding an incident in April 1993.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a bilateral ankle disorder due to withdrawal by the Appellant. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for headaches is granted, with the opinion that his headache disorder is due to his service-connected tinnitus and schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and her service-connected sinusitis status post adenoidectomy, as well as her service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The claims are not granted at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a sleeping disorder, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain, and ankle contractures, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claim for a service connection for a sleep disorder, including narcolepsy and sleep apnea due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and residuals of a broken nose were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's residuals of a broken nose based on credible lay statements and medical opinion.

The Veteran's ureterolithiasis is rated at 30 percent. The claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability, right arm and shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and heart disability (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for heart condition, PTSD, and sleep apnea/sleeping disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, spinal condition (cervical and lumbar degenerative disease), right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder (psoriasis).,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are found to be the primary cause of his current sleep apnea. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in April 2012. The Board found that this evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying service connection claims.,The Veteran's back condition is not shown by the probative evidence to have originated during military service or for many years after the conclusion of his service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of surgical removal of a spinal cord tumor, including incomplete paraplegia of the lower extremities, finding that the current back disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to service.