Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and special monthly compensation for loss of use of a foot, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a June 2019 statement, and the Board dismissed the issue as having no jurisdiction to review it.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board has denied service connection for respiratory disorder (including asthma) and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service. The case is remanded for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to March 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits is being remanded due to changes in his circumstances and the need for a functional capacity evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected anxiety disorder. The appeal for service connection for other conditions is still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, anxiety and depression, arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, sinusitis with rhinitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and evaluation for various conditions, including right knee disability, right ankle disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and residuals of left knee injury. The decision also grants a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and for further medical examinations. The obesity claim is also remanded as it may be related to a service-connected condition.

The appeal of PTSD was dismissed. A 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted, and the Veteran's sleep apnea and/or sleep disturbance, left knee condition, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar strain issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and rheumatoid arthritis did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2010.

PTSD service connection is granted. ED, headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea service connection issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an adequate VA medical examination that complies with prior remand instructions and provides sufficient rationale for any opinions rendered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to the service-connected allergic rhinitis disability, is granted. Service connection for hypertension, secondary to sleep apnea and/or the service-connected migraine disability, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred during service and is not related to any service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection.