Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the cause and relationship of the Veteran's sleep apnea to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiating symptoms into the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent, and his major depressive disorder remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's sleep apnea and skin disorder claims are being reviewed again to ensure proper consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's migraine headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lumbosacral spondylosis, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The heart disability and diabetes mellitus claims have been denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his service and the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, specifically his service-connected back disorder. Additional development is required to make a decision on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD/depressive disorder, asthma, tinnitus, and chronic pain related to his service connected injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various gastrointestinal and skin conditions, including diverticulitis, GERD, IBS, rosacea, polyps under arm, groin and mouth, and fungal infections. The reasons are that new evidence was submitted after the issuance of the March 2013 Statement of the Case, and VA's duty to provide an examination and obtain an opinion is triggered by this evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of recent examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active or reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding bilateral vision acuity loss has been dismissed.,New evidence received since the October 2010 decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, psychotic disorder, and anxiety). The appeals are granted as these claims have been reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's gout and shortness of breath are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of dizziness, sweating or light-headedness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), including as secondary to TBI, due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it is unclear whether this condition is related to herbicide exposure or his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The Veteran will need a new VA medical opinion addressing the etiology and relationship between his sleep apnea and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disability, headaches, and knee disabilities. The effective dates of service connection awards are also being remanded.