Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that his OSA is related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is service-connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's skin rash and sleep apnea are granted service connection. The Board has found the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis issue requires additional development as an examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that the current condition is not related to active duty service and there was no evidence of complaints or diagnoses in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), back condition, and right shoulder disability has been reopened. The heart condition claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and a 60% rating is granted for rheumatoid arthritis from April 29, 2002.,A 100% rating for rheumatoid arthritis is granted as of March 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, but there is no evidence of a direct link between Agent Orange exposure and hypertension or PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be linked to his sleep apnea.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is denied. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service, manifested during the initial post separation year, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including his back disability and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including opinions on service connection for psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right eye disabilities are denied as well as the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for PCOS. The Veteran's PCOS symptoms have been identified, but additional medical opinions are needed to address the severity of her condition and its relationship to other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's OSA, right wrist disability, and shin splints are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's OSA began during active service, his right wrist condition is related to in-service physical training, and his shin splints may be linked to in-service physical activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep problems are aggravated by his service-connected head injury with headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD, lung nodules, and calcified pleural plaques are directly related to service. The VA needs to obtain an addendum from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disorder, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, sleep apnea, depression, and congestive heart failure due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The VA examiner found that there is no medical relationship between PTSD and OSA, while Dr. Boyd opined that PTSD causes OSA based on research he cited.