Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, can be decided. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of all evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected reactive airway disease, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral strain (back condition), rating in excess of 10 percent for status post right ankle avulsion fracture, and total disability rating based upon unemployability (TDIU) due to new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a facial scar of the left eyebrow and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are related to service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral pes planus (claimed as fallen arches) and hypertension (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder), but these cases have been remanded.

The Veteran's pulmonary hypertension and kidney disease are granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examinations already provided are not adequate for rating purposes and remanded the case to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed for direct service connection, secondary service connection, and whether it was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and right-hand condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, as well as its secondary or aggravated nature by other conditions.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and headaches have been granted service connection, with a 10% disability rating for headaches. The case is remanded to determine if an even higher evaluation is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee conditions. The claim of service connection for dermatitis is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for dermatitis with rosacea was denied. The rating prior to May 16, 2019, remains at 10 percent and the rating from May 16, 2019, is denied.

The Veteran's heart condition, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and non-ischemic conditions, was aggravated during his active service in Iraq. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also a result of his cardiac disability, which he developed during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new addendum opinion from an appropriate VA physician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, headaches, depression, and penis disability (ED) due to inadequate examinations that did not consider lay evidence of symptoms from service. The Veteran's service records do not provide a clear picture of his pre-service health or any in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his skin conditions. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously-denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, low back, and gastrointestinal conditions. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are related to service or other in-service events.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his military service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.