Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep apnea, including whether it is related to military service or caused by or aggravated by other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete or inaccurate medical records and need for further examination. The Veteran's exposure to burning waste pits is also under consideration.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right leg meralgia paresthetica is not related to his military service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely than not related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's headaches are not related to his shell fragment wound in his neck.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for moderate degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been denied. The appeals are not granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His hypertension claim, however, was granted as new and material evidence has been received.,The Veteran's PFB, sleep apnea, and TDIU claims are remanded as the Board finds that VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted and remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and back condition, but granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's depressive disorder and residuals of a left foot injury (left foot disability).,The Board also granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's depressive disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The left ankle disability remains rated at 10 percent, and the issue of a higher rating for the left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart condition and sleep apnea, with a focus on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and nerve damage with tingling, left hand second digit due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in January 2013. The Board has reopened the claim due to new and material evidence submitted since then, but the case is remanded as further clarification on the relationship between his current sleep disorder and military service is needed.

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

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War syndrome (claimed as chronic fatigue) is dismissed.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted due to reopening of the claim and evidence showing it is related to service. Secondary service connection for thoracic spine disability, sleep apnea, and chronic lumbar spine disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right heel strain, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and eye disability (secondary to PTSD) have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.