Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1991-1999 and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her post-operative disc with lumbosacral strain and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not support an exceptional disability picture that rendered the schedular criteria inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service, and additional treatment records need to be obtained.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder impingement, and lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, sun poisoning, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing service treatment records. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and conduct further examinations as needed.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not start during service and were not caused by his service-connected bronchial asthma or hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disability, including obstructive sleep apnea. The remand includes obtaining an updated medical opinion and searching for missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD prior to January 5, 2000 is denied.,For the period prior to January 5, 2000, the Veteran's CAD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The claims are now pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or caused by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including arthritis of the shoulders, elbows, hands, neck, back, hips, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension, have been denied as there is no competent evidence that any such disability may be etiologically related to his service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease are remanded as the exposure basis has not been adequately developed.,Sleep apnea is remanded as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, which also needs to be resolved first.,Parotid gland adenoma is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding radiation exposure.,Service connection for parotid gland adenoma will need further development under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service in various ways. Service connection was granted for an unspecified depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain/dysfunction.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of brucellosis, and the claim for brucellosis is denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50%.

This decision dismisses all claims for service connection. The Veteran's bowel disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted in full by a March 2018 rating decision.,The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with anterolisthesis and degenerative disc disease is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's disability warrants a higher than 30 percent rating at any point during the relevant period.,The claim for a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted from September 24, 2012 to July 18, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is not related to his military service.