Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and heart condition due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a skin disability as his current folliculitis does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The appeal for service connection of anxiety, depression, narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have started during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for recurrent microscopic hematuria, urethritis, left knee ACL ligament tear and arthritis, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding no link between the conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, both of which are secondary to his service-connected asthma. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on five conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, IHD, and OSA as secondary to DMII are granted. The case is remanded for a VA examination regarding the etiology of OSA.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD and adenocarcinoma of the prostate, finding that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's OSA or any sleep disorder is being evaluated, along with whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the claimant's death.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's costochondritis is determined to be related to his coronary artery disease, post-surgery residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic dyspnea, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder) have been denied. The Veteran also had his claim for a higher rating for neurodermatitis denied.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or being related to in-service events. The Veteran's current diagnoses were found to be unrelated to service, with chronic dyspnea and psychiatric disorders attributed to deconditioning and other non-service-related factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and need for examinations. The issues include service connection, increased ratings, and a higher evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, low back, and left index finger disabilities were denied. The RO assigned noncompensable initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with DJD was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran should be granted a TDIU, but referred the matter to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an evaluation of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability and TBI were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not related to his active duty service in Southwest Asia.