Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service connections.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. An initial 40 percent evaluation has been granted for the lumbar strain condition, effective April 23, 2012. A separate 10 percent evaluation has also been granted for the left lower extremity radiculopathy beginning September 7, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner is required to review all relevant records, including the Veteran's service treatment records and his testimony from the March 2019 hearing. They are asked to provide an opinion on whether OSA is related directly to service or caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a medical inquiry is necessary to resolve the question of whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability aggravates his current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and for sciatic nerve paralysis (claimed as restless leg syndrome) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected. The rating for rhinitis is denied prior to November 21, 2014, but granted at a 10% level from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for OSA, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, and a TDIU prior to September 13, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depressive disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his right foot disability, as well as an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that his sleep apnea is related to his time in service or caused by his sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but the right knee disability remains in dispute due to insufficient nexus opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral eye disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disorder in a previous remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is suspected of worsening, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity and etiology. For sleep apnea, a new examination is required to address whether it is related to service-connected conditions or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate for adjudication purposes and has ordered a new examination to address both causation and aggravation aspects of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's in-service symptoms of snoring and breathing issues are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of an opinion regarding the continuity of symptoms post-service for obstructive sleep apnea.