Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and did not reopen the claim for service connection for a nervous condition. The decision is based on lack of in-service symptomatology, diagnosis of sleep apnea decades after service, and lack of competent evidence suggesting a relationship between service and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the remaining claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may be related to his active service, and a VA examination should be scheduled for this purpose.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and ratings, due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 20, 2014 for the grant of service connection for UPPP with removal of tonsils, pharynx and uvula (problem from throat surgery) including incomplete organic aphonia (vocal dysphonia) and epistaxis (nose bleeds), has been denied as there is no evidence prior to September 20, 2014 that could be construed as a claim of service connection for UPPP.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus, and insomnia are remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it involves issues of direct service connection and potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his back and knee disabilities, has resulted in a TDIU effective March 30, 2006. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine which of his respiratory conditions (asthma or sleep apnea) is predominant and to assess the severity of both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the Veteran's claims for OSA and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for PTSD, a back/spinal cord disorder, skin condition/candida, and sleep apnea due to missing STRs and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, right wrist CTS, and left wrist CTS was denied. The decision also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for increased ratings for his wrist conditions prior to December 9, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder medication caused his obesity and, in turn, led to his obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary bladder cancer status post resection is granted.,The claims for respiratory disability and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of a June 2009 private sleep study report that found obstructive and central apneas secondary to medication. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea, including both obstructive and central types, is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or medications prescribed for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and cervicitis with dysplasia due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The nasal condition, to include sleep apnea, remains remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to be contributory causes of his death, which was caused by metastatic lung cancer. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his period of service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are granted as service connected due to their onset during active duty.