Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee meniscus tear, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and a right foot disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's history of in-service treatment for knee issues and post-service surgical intervention.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being evaluated again to determine if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for shrapnel scars to the left knee and foot is dismissed.,Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, prostate cancer, acid reflux, and kidney disease. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. His diabetes mellitus type II and post-traumatic stress disorder are both rated at their maximum levels, with the PTSD receiving a higher rating due to its severity. The effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II and post-traumatic stress disorder remain unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected dysthymia disorder and denied his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to his service-connected dysthymia disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate to fairly adjudicate the Veteran’s claim for service connection. The Veteran contends her obstructive sleep apnea is due to her period of service, specifically her service-connected asthma. A new addendum medical opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to her service-connected asthma and whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected asthma is required.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires additional examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, esophagitis, medications for esophagitis, and nephrolithiasis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left ankle and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are not service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected, but only secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The hemorrhoids are denied due to their pre-existence in service, and sinusitis is denied based on lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for dental condition service connection. Diabetes, lung cancer, and liposarcoma of the right posterior thigh are granted with service connection. The claims for arthritis of the bilateral upper extremities, ankles, and hips are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is granted, and the Veteran is awarded service connection based on direct evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. There is no legal basis for an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The tinnitus rating remains at 10%.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to her military service.