Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, epigastric pain, and PTSD is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated septum is linked to his obstructive sleep apnea. His cervical spine disability has been granted as service connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis for a higher rating on lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as the result of exposure to asbestos, has been remanded.,Claims for lower back, neck, and bilateral knee and leg disorders have also been remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee DJD, right shoulder dislocation, and lumbosacral spine disability due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for new VA examinations.

An effective date of August 20, 1986, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for a left knee disability is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left wrist ganglion cyst as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional development. The OSA and teeth grinding claims are being returned for issuance of a statement of the case, while the psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of snoring and irregular breathing during his military service, which is considered as indicative of sleep apnea. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including secondary service connection for various conditions. The specific issues include sleep apnea, hypertension as secondary to lumbar-sacral strain, obesity, left knee condition associated with lumbar-sacral strain, right knee strain associated with lumbar-sacral strain, headaches, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), and hallux valgus of the right great toe, hammer toes second, fourth, and fifth toes, and mild osteoarthritis great toe have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of ten percent for nephrolithiasis was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability and sleep apnea were both remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification of treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Chiari malformation and its secondary effects. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Chiari malformation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining issues in the January 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability, back disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's lumbar strain is also remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not the cause of his current obstructive sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension due to insufficient examination reports.