Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2016 VA examination and the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms. A new examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to insufficient information regarding his income and net worth, preventing a determination of eligibility.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder (other than right-hand ganglion cyst and secondary surgical scar) and a back disorder. The claim of service connection for a stomach disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed skin disorders or back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, sleep apnea, and a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the claim for anemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an adequate VA opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claim of service connection for a respiratory condition (including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea) is denied because new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology and consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease is rated at 40 percent, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cervical myositis and denied it on the merits. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and Wolff Parkinson White disease are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. Service connections for sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder, NOS and anxiety) are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2014 rating decision does not include new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current treatment records do not provide a link between his in-service experiences and his current condition, nor do they suggest any aggravation of an existing condition.

The Board has found an indication of a link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, but more evidence is needed to decide the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that his symptoms began in service and were ultimately diagnosed years later. The evidence supports this conclusion based on lay statements and a medical opinion.

The Board previously denied service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, but the Veteran has appealed this decision. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD issue. A new claim for service connection for PTSD was filed, which could impact the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his service, and the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) preexisted service and was not aggravated during service. The claim for OSA is denied.,The Veteran's back disorder has been remanded for further examination and determination of its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip condition, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to his active military service or service-connected conditions, as well as assessing their severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome is related to his military service, specifically an in-service injury and use of Ambien.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the July 2013 Statement of the Case or within one year from the date of mailing of the notification of the determination being appealed.