Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, hip, and buttock pain disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, a deviated septum, chronic upper respiratory infections, and sleep apnea. However, further examination is required as well as obtaining outstanding STRs.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, is found to be etiologically related to his active service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which was granted special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during service and a lay witness's testimony support his claim. The decision is based on direct evidence of in-service onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and new examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, cervical spine, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy (claimed as pain from skull to pelvis), bilateral hip, left knee, right knee, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sleep apnea with periodic limb movement disorder was denied because the effective date cannot be earlier than September 28, 2014, as it occurred more than one year prior to that date.

The Veteran's death was caused by flare of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, chronic immunosuppression, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right hip disability and lumbosacral strain, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make an informed decision.

The Veteran's claims for right lateral epicondylitis, bilateral hearing loss, status post lipoma resection, upper thoracic spine scar, headaches (claimed as secondary to service-connected status post lipoma resection), sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and a cervical strain are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, but the Board granted a higher rating to 40 percent based on functional limitations and pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The case is remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gout, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examination. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcoholism is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastric ulcer, sleep apnea, and stroke are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, OSA caused by PTSD, and migraine headaches all linked to her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show the Veteran had hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased rating for gunshot wound residuals and service connection for sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a statement of the case addressing the increased rating issue, obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the cause of his sleep apnea, and readjudicate the issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is causing occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.,Service connection for sleep apnea as caused by service-connected PTSD with depression has been granted.