Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and left foot scar were denied. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was remanded. Effective date claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were not addressed as the issues were not raised in the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and TMJ disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service, particularly Gulf War exposure. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted, and the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea are remanded to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded three issues: sleep apnea, residuals of MRSA staph infection, and bilateral hearing loss.

Service connection is granted for shin splints, right shoulder disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.,Service connection is granted for esophageal diverticulum, dumping syndrome, pancreatitis, anemia, syncope, heart condition, hypertension, back condition, asthma, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded his case for a new evaluation of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his claimed sleep disorder, vertigo, vision impairment, respiratory disability, colon disability, or bilateral hearing loss that are attributable to active service.,His current tinnitus is not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and his claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle achilles tendon rupture, thyroid disorder, right lower extremity hip replacement, sleep apnea, and left shoulder surgery bone spur. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed or remanded. The diabetes claim was withdrawn, OSA and hypothyroidism were granted as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus another remand is warranted for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar or lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient determination of current arthritis and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will need further examination and an etiology opinion.