Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2007. The appeal for service connection and separate evaluations for sleep apnea and lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension were all denied as there is no in-service event, injury or disease associated with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's heart condition, including an addendum opinion addressing his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, and his right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, or hypertension.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of March 30, 2006. The decision is based on the VA examiner's opinion that the condition was present during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, Meniere’s disease, obstructive sleep apnea, red splotches on back of neck, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential paths for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran’s muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran's muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board has not determined whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The claim for sleep apnea was reopened, but new evidence did not establish a link to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds over the course of service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral back strain, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a current disability and its relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, noting there was no current diagnosis in the medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, respiratory disorder, and hypertension due to presumed herbicide exposure. The claims are also reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not secondary to his PTSD. Service connection for TBI residuals remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issues of service connection for loss of teeth, sleep apnea, low back injury, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy (all secondary to a low back injury) are also granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed chronic lumbosacral strain is related to her active duty military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted, and these cases will be reviewed again by the AOJ.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and for a higher rating for lumber spine spondylolisthesis are remanded.