Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's OSA had its onset in, or is otherwise related to, his military service, including his exposure to environmental hazards such as sand storms and burn pits. The examiner must consider the Veteran's reports of symptoms during and after service, as well as new service treatment records and a private physician's statement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and adjustment disorder with mixed features, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims of service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, back disability, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches is granted. The cases are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 50% disability rating to a noncompensable rating for sleep apnea, effective February 1, 2011, was proper. The Veteran no longer has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and is asymptomatic.

The Veteran withdrew all her claims, including those for service connection and increased rating.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea was proper. The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2015 VA examiner’s opinion, which did not consider the in-service onset and continuous symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for DJD of the left knee, status post arthroscopic surgery; DJD of the right knee; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; and OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to outstanding VA records and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for this condition, but the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heat stroke, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), scar, status post left knee injury, recurrent tinnitus, residuals of concussion including vertigo and headaches, and major depressive disorder with anxiety have been remanded.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for scar, status post left knee injury; recurrent tinnitus; residuals of concussion including vertigo and headaches; and major depressive disorder with anxiety are also being remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a further medical opinion regarding his other back conditions and their relationship to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and seizure disorder due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their onset in service or relation to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and IHD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has also been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, including potential service connection based on exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but the Veteran does not have gout of the right hand.,Sleep apnea and gout in both legs are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of a VA opinion on whether OSA is aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must also request SSA records and notify the Veteran about the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is restored, and his previously denied claims for postoperative residuals of left and right ganglion cysts are reopened. The bilateral wrist disabilities claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to June 1, 2011 is denied. The case has been remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.