Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected chronic bronchitis, has been granted. However, the compensable disability rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), due to in-service exposure to tactical herbicide agents, is pending and requires further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to consider both old and new rating criteria for spine disabilities, as well as obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hip, knee, and foot disabilities, headaches, sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health and lumbar spine disabilities. From July 11, 2013, to February 20, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent; from February 21, 2014, forward, it is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, Emphysema, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (claimed as secondary to emphysema and COPD), Acid Reflux, and Erectile Dysfunction due to unresolved issues regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, specifically regarding his statements about when he became aware of the condition and its symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The reasons include insufficient medical evidence addressing the Veteran's reported exposure to chemicals during his Gulf War experience.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relation to service, particularly his time stationed at Fort McClellan. The VA needs to determine if he was exposed to chemicals or other toxins/agents during service and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM II, IHD, hypertension, ED, glaucoma, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other events that could establish presumptive service connection.,Secondary service connection was not granted as the primary conditions (DM II and IHD) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as the current severity of his hypertension. The RO must obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder or if it had its onset during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, in-service exposures, or secondary to his service-connected conditions. The case will be reviewed again with additional medical analysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for compressed vertebra, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, hypertension, eczema, left hip condition, and TBI have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, and supraventricular tachycardia with left ventricular hypertrophy as secondary to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder. The appeals were remanded for further action on some issues.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective for the entire claim period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly TBI and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to arrange new examinations with qualified professionals who can provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.