Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of sleep apnea symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and incomplete VA examination, particularly regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relationship to her service-connected eating disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for kidney disability and OSA as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claim for increased evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied, with a current rating of 50%. The issue of service connection for foot disorder (bilateral pes planus) remains pending and will be remanded.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50%, but the evidence does not show that it meets or more nearly approximates criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin condition to the lips (claimed as dry mouth), all secondary to existing service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100%.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for right ankle sprain, PTSD, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's OSA is attributable to his active service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for OSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is likely related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of her musculoskeletal pain, cervical spine disability, respiratory conditions, sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders. The issues are currently on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work in light of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a vocational assessment from a Veterans Health Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and clarification of etiological opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and a right ankle disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is presumed to have had an in-service injury, but there are conflicting opinions on whether his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is related to his reported sleeping difficulties in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The appeal is also dismissed as there are no merits to consider.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for high blood pressure, acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus is denied.