Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity conditions, as well as service connection for various other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for sleep apnea, residuals of a left elbow injury, bilateral hearing loss, and colon polyps. The claims were all denied as there was no new and material evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which was not previously granted.

The Veteran's right foot drop, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and service-connected right knee disability are all considered secondary. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding in-service and post-service symptomatology.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability and hypertension. The issues of a higher rating for the right ankle and pseudofolliculitis barbae remain remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shin splints, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, and headache disability have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing SSA records. The Veteran's sleep disorder claim, including sleep apnea and RBD, needs further evaluation by a VA medical professional. Additionally, the initial rating for ischemic heart disease prior to February 15, 2011 requires obtaining the Veteran’s Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, and hepatitis C as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and his chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease has been rated at 40 percent. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Vertigo were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The Veteran's low back disorder, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis are all remanded for further development. A psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The decision also remanded several issues, including the rating of lumbar strain and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are not related to his active service, thus denying claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his military service or aggravated by his heart condition.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.