Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate a link between the condition and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and whether it began during Southwest Asia service.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressed mood and secondary alcohol use disorder is denied.,Service connection for a skin disorder (presumptive due to herbicide exposure) is remanded.,Service connection for tingling and/or loss of sensation in the right hand, left hand, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right knee condition, left knee condition, obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, as well as his request for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib and back disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was previously denied these claims in April 2012 and February 2014 respectively. The appeal is now being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, secondary to left retinal detachment from a car accident, was denied. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim but continued denial of service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied as there is no evidence of such condition in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and fibromyalgia, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis. His fibromyalgia claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, asthma and associated COPD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea was granted with an effective date of May 9, 2017. The Board found that the earliest unadjudicated claim related to this condition was filed on May 9, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with insomnia disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist violation. The AOJ must obtain and associate with the record any relevant private and military base treatment records.

The Board has remanded the sleep apnea claim for an addendum opinion to determine its nature and etiology, including whether it had its initial onset in service or is related to active service. The examiner should address the Veteran's reported exposure to various fumes but no specific basis was provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service, specifically his active duty for training in November 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's right ankle scar is rated at 0 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Prior to October 16, 2018, the lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent; as of that date, it is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than 20 percent.,A higher rating for a left eye disability is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right eye disability, chest disability, and headache disability remains remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability from March 1, 2014 to September 15, 2015, left knee disability, and a temporary 100 percent rating based on surgical treatment for the right knee requiring convalescence are all remanded.,Effective dates prior to specific dates for service connection grants or increased ratings are also remanded.