Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The claim for erectile dysfunction will also be remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to prostate cancer.,The claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and the etiology of the erectile dysfunction.,A sleep study is needed, along with an addendum opinion from a clinician to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. The examiner should also determine if the Veteran’s conditions are manifestations of a single condition or separate disorders.,The right shoulder claim will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to complaints of arm numbness and pain in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether his lumbar strain caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CAD, DM, lung cancer residuals, RLE and LLE neuropathy, and OSA have been granted.,Service connection is also granted for prostate disorder and residuals of skin cancer, but additional evidence is needed to determine their relationship with the Veteran's in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea is aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and therefore grants service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of CUE in a May 30, 2001 rating decision that granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with an effective date of February 22, 1999. The Board found no evidence of CUE.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for fibromyalgia prior to December 13, 2010 is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of assigning separate ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evidence, including private medical records and a VA examination to assess his knee disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being reconsidered due to new information confirming the Veteran served in Kuwait during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeals concerning whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, bilateral upper neuropathy, bilateral lower neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease. The appellant's claims were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to toxic chemicals while at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity paresthesia, sleep apnea, and rhabdomyolysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board has denied a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to November 18, 2016 and since then.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, residuals of left ankle fracture, hypertension, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erectile dysfunction) cause damage to his clothing due to the use of prescribed braces. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest during active service and is not related to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities have been reopened. The claim for lumbosacral strain has been granted.,Service connection is denied for the left ankle disability as there is no evidence of a current condition or chronic impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Left-hand arthritis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.,There is no medical evidence or credible lay statements connecting the Veteran’s current sleep apnea and left-hand arthritis to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury. The issues of service connection for Sleep Apnea are also inextricably intertwined with the TBI case.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted.