Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for reactive arthritis, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new VA examinations to determine whether his conditions had their onset in service or are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in service and is considered to have had its onset during active duty. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, hypertension, GERD, and a skin condition are granted. The effective dates for these grants are September 30, 2013. A TDIU is granted from April 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, right and left ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus type II. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records, completing a VA Form 21-4142, and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted, and he has been assigned various disability ratings for his related conditions. The current appeal pertains to the rating of his right upper extremity disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the case to obtain updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and a medical opinion regarding the diagnosis and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for gout but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's representative is advised to respond to the remand and provide any additional evidence or arguments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increase in rating.,TIAs are rated at 10 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa has no compensable rating as it does not affect more than 5% of the body or exposed areas.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical examination, and a clarifying opinion is needed regarding in-service manifestations of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere’s syndrome is granted. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected PTSD, is granted. The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for residuals of TBI apart from PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including lung disability, right hip condition, right hand condition, low back condition, OSA, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining complete service treatment records and VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right bundle branch block and sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions. A new VA opinion is needed to reconcile these findings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ must attempt to corroborate the Veteran's exposure to napalm, white phosphorus, and other chemical agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for GERD and Regional Pain Syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities (depressive disorder, asthma, and deviated septum).

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability.