Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service, particularly the alleged sexual assault.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 20, 2006 for the Veteran's service connection of sleep apnea. The decision is based on newly associated records showing the Veteran had active service from November 2005 to May 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further adjudication of the issue regarding an increased rating for lumbar strain, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in reducing the disability rating from 20% to 10%. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary fibrosis is found to be the primary cause of his sleep apnea and cardiovascular disorders, including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction. The lung transplant was also deemed secondary to the service-connected pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, nasal fracture residuals, and right genitofemoral nerve excision. The appellant's case will be remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's gout claim was denied, but service connection for anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer residuals were all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The case for PCOS remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. A VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate analysis of the Veteran's lay statements regarding environmental exposures in service, and a need for another medical opinion on whether his OSA is related to these exposures.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his left ring finger injury with well-healed scar was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD disability rating, and TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and determination of its onset, nature, and relationship to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected asthma. The initial rating for asthma prior to October 30, 1998 and since that date are both remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD are service-connected, but the Board denied service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the case, and thus has no jurisdiction to decide the merits.