Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and GERD was denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability has been remanded due to the need for further medical examination. The issue of rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and the TDIU issue have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's obesity, which may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for fatigue, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and melanoma of the abdomen with residual scar due to asbestos and TCE exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but finds that further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and record development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, pleural scarring in lungs and bacterial lung infection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of pleural scarring or a relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory condition and his in-service pneumonia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection and his anxiety disorder from November 19, 2015 to October 10, 2018 was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 18, 2016. The Board also granted a TDIU rating as of March 12, 2015.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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 as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it had onset during his period of active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease as due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for sleep apnea as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except bilateral foot and toenail fungus is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and Meniere’s disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.