Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding it is secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service in Southwest Asia and exposure to jet fuels.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of issues related to service connection and aid and attendance allowance. The claim for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance level remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is at least as likely a chance that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected Bronchial Asthma, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity and history of asthma during active duty are sufficient to establish a direct link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the issue of a separate, compensable rating for headaches associated with service-connected hypertension due to insufficient examination reports addressing the frequency and severity of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and folliculitis, finding that both conditions began during the Veteran's deployment to Iraq.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding medical records from VA facilities in Jackson and Natchez, Mississippi. The Board also ordered an updated VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, glaucoma, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sexual dysfunction, PTSD, and chronic pancreatitis.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), a neck condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, hypertension, low back condition, and bilateral foot condition are remanded.,The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal of the increased rating for tinnitus. The claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to May 3, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back disability and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The examinations will be rescheduled, and further evaluations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Service connection was established for both a lower back disability (lumbosacral strain) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety).

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that they are related to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's attorney argued that his PTSD may have caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The case is returned for further development.