Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service, but further development is needed to determine if he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mesothelioma, an abnormal heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, hypertension, metabolic syndrome to include insulin resistant disorder and/or diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and depression secondary to medical condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology, including whether it is related to service or an undiagnosed illness from Gulf War service.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to May 16, 2011 was granted. The claim for a higher rating on and after that date was denied. Service connection was established for melanoma of the scalp, skin cancer, and sleep apnea. Service connection was not established for colon polyps or bladder cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities require additional development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and reopened the claim of new and material evidence for sleep apnea. The Veteran's preexisting conductive hearing loss in the right ear is more likely than not aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of L3-S1, allergic rhinitis, arterial occlusive disease, and scars were denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability manifested by frequent urination and bowel movements was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of muscle pain due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis/degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, and muscle pain.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his back and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current sleep apnea disability is related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, continuity of symptomatology since service, or etiological relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 9, 2013 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain was dismissed because it lacks legal merit.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial disability rating of 20 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis. The OSA is found to be proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities, while the right ankle condition is found to have marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back condition. The case is now remanded for further development.

Service connection is denied for hypertension, right foot pain, and left foot pain. The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending. The propriety of the severance of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy must be remanded.,Obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to or aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected psychological disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service or secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and for obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's service treatment records suggest that his sleep apnea may have started during service, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and a head injury due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.