Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has added significant medical evidence to the record since the last decision and requires a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to consider this new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to Parkinson's disease), erectile dysfunction, difficulty chewing/swallowing, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, back injury was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for sleep apnea, stroke, and prostate cancer were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There are no current diagnoses or medical records indicating the presence of any of the claimed conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for ulcerative proctitis are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, an increased rating for right knee disability, and TDIU.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that there is insufficient information to decide the current appeal and requires additional examinations for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical spine DDD.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition was not incurred in or related to service and is not a result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a back disability, neuropathy of the left leg, and sleep apnea due to lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, and there is no secondary service connection to PTSD.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service connected as it did not begin during his military service and there is no evidence that it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for a left knee condition and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for joint swelling and pain in the right elbow has been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from November 14, 2008 to present. The TDIU claim for the period from May 14, 2001 to September 1, 2008 was denied. A separate compensable rating for urinary incontinence is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any VA treatment he received since the last records were obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy, should be remanded due to newly associated evidence not having been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's neck condition and OSA are granted service connection, while the respiratory condition is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as his education, training, and work history allow for employment despite his conditions.