Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee and right knee disorders are granted service connection, while her sinusitis with headaches is denied.,Service connection for a hip disorder, peripheral vestibular condition, and GERD with dysphagia is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was received on November 19, 2008. The Board found no basis to award an earlier effective date as the Veteran did not file a prior claim or show intent to do so.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active duty service and is granted as service connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and continues today. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded several other issues due to lack of evidence or procedural errors.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the claim for sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea have been granted. The claims for hypertension and lower back disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records, including missing MRI results and SSA disability application records.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hand middle finger disability, sleep apnea, and dental disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be provided with additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's kidney condition, characterized by kidney stones, is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, a spine condition (back injury), right knee condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record after the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea and sleep disturbances is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claim is denied because there is no in-service diagnosis or relationship to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no current diagnoses of these conditions, and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control. An initial rating of 70 percent since June 11, 2014 for PTSD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and whether it had its onset during military service. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left lower leg disability, gastrointestinal disability, anemia, sinusitis, cervical strain, OSA, left shoulder strain, cervical dysplasia, cellulitis, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left arm radiculopathy.