Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need a VA examination and additional records from Dr. Jane Choi.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including those from VA clinics not yet obtained. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease as there is no evidence to support that these conditions began in active service or are related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis disability. However, hypertension was diagnosed prior to OSA and a supplemental medical opinion is required to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records from the Waco VAMC, and requests for these records are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for PTSD (unspecified) remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for his acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, left ankle disability, and right eye disability are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its relationship to service-connected conditions and whether it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, other than chronic sleep impairment that is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD, had its onset during military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic and lumbosacral spondylosis and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service fall. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and a left knee disability due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to an in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had its onset in service. The VA examiner did not consider the 2013 sleep study results and the Veteran's symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for RLE radiculopathy, sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and lumbar spine disorder, and DMII is granted. The Veteran has been assigned a 50% rating for PTSD effective from June 26, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of assigning a compensable rating for eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development. Additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, pain in multiple joints (arthritis), and a respiratory disability not including OSA due to unclear opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated 20% and remanded for further evaluation of his erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected disabilities and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD are both remanded. The Veteran's ED is not found to be proximately due to his service-connected conditions, but the examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether it was aggravated by them.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability remains at 20% and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran is required to provide additional Reserve service records and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA is granted, and the overpayment of VA compensation benefits from August 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011 is partially waived due to equity and good conscience.