Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted a TDIU effective April 4, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic colon cancer, which the appellant claims is related to his service. The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran’s exposure to herbicide agents at least as likely as not directly caused his colon cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, and TDIU due to multiple disabilities. Additional development is needed to obtain SSA records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability claimed as due to asbestos exposure, and a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for left thumb sprain and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 26, 2015, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing worsening of symptoms within one year prior to the August 26, 2015, increased rating claim.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right thumb disability and headaches are granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, and remanded it for further development. The Veteran was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2013, which could substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's heart murmur is not considered a disease or injury subject to service connection.,Service connection for GERD was denied as there is no evidence of an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical treatise evidence that addressed possible relationships between sleep, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches and PTSD. The claims are now recharacterized as secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's pes planus is suspected to be related to his service-connected left foot disability, while his obstructive sleep apnea may have been aggravated by his prescribed medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The right shin disability claim is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran. The COPD rating remains at 30 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a withdrawal request by his representative. The case is remanded for further examination and development regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran’s appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected conditions, as well as additional evidence regarding his claims. The appeals are not related to a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for updated VA medical records. The issue of aggravation of obstructive sleep apnea by tinnitus is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities is set at November 3, 2015.,Increased ratings were denied for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea were not found to be related to his active military service, leading to a denial of these claims. The left and right knee degenerative joint disease cases are remanded for further examination.