Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the condition did not manifest during service or is otherwise related to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypoxemia secondary to sleep apnea, and his alcohol abuse claim is also denied due to lack of entitlement under the law.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse is denied as it results from willful misconduct (abuse of alcohol or drugs).,An increased rating for lumbar spine spondylosis is granted with a 20% evaluation, effective June 22, 2016. The left ankle sprain and left ear hearing loss are also evaluated at their current levels.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Her initial rating for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Hypertrophic Gastritis, as well as her ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis at T12-L1 and left leg radiculopathy were all granted. The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood received a 70 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's condition is related to his PTSD or if it had its onset in service. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence of record. The AOJ must obtain VA addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran’s current asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea are related to his presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam and/or secondary to his service-connected Parkinson’s Disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete file, specifically the absence of a Social Work Consultation Note from the Austell VA CBOC dated February 13, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal for service connection for OSA, a psychiatric disability, and the spinal disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The remaining issues of increased ratings for his back and cervical spine conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded it to allow for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his current sleep apnea is related to his military service or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a back conditions examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tension headaches due to insufficient evidence in the November 2018 decision.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The gastroesophageal condition (GERD and acid reflux) and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it was aggravated by his deployments. The examiner will also need to provide an opinion on the pre-existence of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's condition had its onset during his military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service or any other factor. The Veteran's current sleep apnea was first diagnosed years after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but remanded the remaining issues including sleep apnea and GERD. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The May 2013 rating decision denying service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,New evidence received since the May 2013 rating decision has reopened the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.