Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for facial acne, syringomas, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision also referred the issue of a compensable evaluation for a left thigh scar to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected nightmare disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease s/p arthroscopy and chondroplasty of lateral femoral condyle and partial lateral meniscectomy, and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to PTSD, need further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's asthma claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed for both asthma and obstructive sleep apnea claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss of the left ear, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete information.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hearing loss of the right ear are also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was diagnosed during service and is considered to have begun there. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of poor sleep were consistent with his deployment in Iraq, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether it had its onset during service and is related to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical condition, bilateral medial brachium condition, and upper extremity nerve disorders, as well as OSA are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dermatitis remain unresolved.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and sleep apnea, but has remanded them for further development. The low back disability rating remains remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection will be considered if there is evidence that a condition began during active duty or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to his service-connected conditions. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability had its clinical onset due to injury sustained during active service and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD with alcohol abuse, has been reopened. The Board has also remanded the cases of OSA and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: OSA secondary to service-connected depressive disorder, a back disability, and the umbilical hernia rating. The Veteran will need additional examinations and development of her claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded due to a lack of an opinion on whether current OSA is related to or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.