Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, specifically focusing on whether his in-service injuries or exposure to enemy fire caused his current health issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, psoriasis vulgaris, and psoriatic arthropathy of the knees, hands, and feet due to potential direct causation or aggravation by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange is already conceded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis and deviated septum, and for a deviated septum. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, as well as to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection are not based on a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened. His major depressive disorder (previously PTSD) is rated at 70 percent, effective December 29, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee condition, and increased rating for right tibia stress fracture have been denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor events, no evidence of arthritis within the presumptive period, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for sleep apnea and an insufficient opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right toe injury, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, affective psychosis, and adjustment disorder due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's back pain and arthritis need further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep apnea and narcolepsy due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, including any recent sleep studies. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his chronic sinus disorder is denied.,An earlier effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for his chronic sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains in dispute as the Veteran's stressor claims have not been verified, but he provided additional information about his mental health symptoms.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for lower back disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for leg cramps secondary to his lower back disorder is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected rhinitis and chronic sinus condition remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and cervical spine disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The claims for tinnitus and an eating disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to inadequate prior opinions.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability does not meet the regulatory definition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination for sleep apnea.