Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners regarding his hearing loss, radiculopathy, and lumbosacral spine disability. Further examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to lack of clarity in his formal appeal and procedural documents, as well as for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or medications for PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 10, 2015 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was also granted an effective date of January 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, heart disease, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain private treatment records from Dr. S.M., provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit additional evidence, schedule a VA examination, and adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with UARS and latent tuberculosis are currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities, as well as any residuals from the pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to the need for an appropriate medical examination.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The claims for increased evaluations of atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the bilateral lower extremities and onychomycosis of the feet are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms first manifested in service and are related to his current diagnosis.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his military service, including an accident in 1995. The RO must also attempt to obtain any Air Force service records and ensure all relevant medical records are reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prior to July 18, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD was rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease is denied. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to sleep apnea and depression are inadequate, and thus remands for further examination and medical opinions are necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for back disability, mental health condition, and sleep apnea were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation, or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and sleep apnea need further development due to incomplete medical records and inconsistencies in the evidence. The case is being remanded to provide a new VA examination and obtain additional information.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for COPD and basal cell skin cancer of the face to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, and service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD.