Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its previous decisions regarding service connection for sleep apnea and related issues. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claims for higher ratings and TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, while some service connection claims were granted or reopened. The appeal is remanded for further action on several issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service.,Obstructive sleep apnea is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no medical opinion linking it to service.,The cause of death, cardio pulmonary arrest, was not related to the Veteran's service.,DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence that VA care caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee condition.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the nose is granted based on in-service sun exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder claim will also be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a left elbow contusion, gastroenteritis, acid reflux, and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection is being reopened for residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's in-service symptoms. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, verify any claimed exposure, and provide an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability (other than sleep apnea) and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and onychomycosis, based on service aggravation. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left and right shoulder disabilities, and thoracolumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and service connection of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disabilities, and sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for left and right knee disabilities have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with anxiety attacks prior to June 19, 2015 is dismissed. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities other than asbestosis are not service connected and there is no evidence that they are related to his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, a remand is required as the VA examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include schizoaffective disorder.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea arose in service and granted service connection for this condition.