Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea and rhinitis with turbinate hyperplasia are granted service connection.,A deviated nasal septum is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an obstructive sleep apnea disability was reopened and granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's death was related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange during his time in the Vietnam War. The claims for small cell lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, COPD, phlebitis right leg, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to further development needed regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.,A new and material evidence request for service connection of headaches was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA medical opinion and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including medications used to treat them, are being evaluated for their potential role in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and right leg/hip condition are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical opinions regarding their severity and etiology.

The Board denied claims for hypertension, PTSD, hepatitis C, and a bilateral ear disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) was reopened based on new evidence provided by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, and OSA are all being reviewed again to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea and unspecified depressive disorder are granted service connection on a secondary basis due to their association with his service-connected left foot disability.,Service connection for the Veteran’s right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, hypertension, and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, particularly regarding whether a CPAP machine would be beneficial for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and aortic valve replacement, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. However, the case is remanded for an additional VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his aortic valve disability.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to sinusitis, finding that the evidence is in relative balance and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for a sleep disorder, as the Veteran was first diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 2010. The hypertension issue remains denied.

The Board dismissed the earlier effective date claim for sleep apnea service connection and granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and depression.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), right ear hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle condition is remanded due to the possibility of aggravation by service-connected left lower extremity conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a left index finger deformity is granted as his condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service accident.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is remanded as VA opinion is necessary to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for a right eye condition (right eyelid cyst) is remanded due to the lack of clear evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches. The Veteran's left wrist, neck, back, and neurobehavioral effects of tension and confusion claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for his son, M.R., based on college attendance after he turned 18 years old. The appeal is dismissed as there are no legal grounds to grant the requested benefit.