Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and higher ratings for his shoulder disabilities and pes planus. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury leading to current disability, and that any current disability is not related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorders, left hand trigger finger disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac disorder, and hypertension. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to February 2, 2015, and from that date. The case is now before the Board for further development.

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 unspecified anxiety disorder. The examiner will need to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of his service connection claims, and he has additional disabilities that may affect his employment. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records review, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records from a private sleep center, which may contain information about the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis). The VA examiner found that there was no causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy have been granted. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are all secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for sleep apnea was denied in July 2007, but he filed a new application to reopen his claim on December 15, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered at least equally severe as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability). The private physician concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric disability aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the remaining claims on appeal, including service connection for sleep apnea and cutaneous lupus and skin cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeal is granted only in part as some issues are remanded.,Service connection has been restored for lumbar strain and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were not found to warrant increased ratings or service connection. His PTSD remains at 30 percent, and he does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his period of service and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and physical disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, but has remanded it for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Barrett’s esophagus with hiatal hernia, respiratory disability (including restricted lung capacity and chronic bronchitis), sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right nephrolithiasis, and PTSD was denied.,PTSD received an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service and concluding that it is more likely that the condition developed after service.