Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The appeal of the February 2012 rating decision assigning an effective date for tinnitus is denied due to untimeliness.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD or any environmental exposures during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity and, in turn, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, particularly his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition based on direct evidence of a link between service exposure and the disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, ED, and GI disorder were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea has been denied, and his claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and sleep apnea. The decision found that the Veteran's reported stressors were not substantiated by credible evidence, and his current conditions are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted service connection as it first manifested during service.,Bipolar disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hepatitis C were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not show its onset during active service or a relationship to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for severe REM-related obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The skin disorder claim is remanded as there are no competent medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea and/or coronary artery disease. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that it did not have its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The appeal for a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain and TDIU prior to February 23, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service and granted service connection for this condition. The right ankle disability claim was denied as there is no current evidence of a separate disability apart from the already service-connected right heel spur.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be higher than Level I in both ears, warranting a non-compensable rating.,With resolution of doubt in the Veteran’s favor, his bilateral hip disorder is at least as likely as not related to service due to repetitive trauma from military duties.,Service connection for right and left hip disorders is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic back pain in-service caused his current bilateral hip disorder.,The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to his PTSD disability due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left hand muscle injury are not entitled to a compensable rating, and the issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left hand muscle injury is dismissed. The case is REMANDED for further examination regarding service connection for sleep apnea.