Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis and left sided L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuritis of the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (secondary to spinal stenosis and L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy) is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current disability is not related to his in-service neck and back injury.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2009 to November 30, 2012 was denied. The case is remanded for further review of the TDIU claims from December 1, 2012 to February 4, 2014.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, as well as associated neurological symptoms including radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and neurogenic bladder symptoms, have been granted a 40 percent rating since November 30, 2010.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The decision is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions, but the appeal does not address their effective dates or whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tension headaches (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), and thyroid disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and reversible airway disease, specifically whether these conditions are related to his service in Iraq. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination, and further development is needed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as his combination of migraines, lumbosacral disc bulge, left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the lumbar spine, and depressive disorder makes him unable to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development and need for medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of CFS or sleep apnea related to service.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of COPD but denied all other claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, neuropathy of upper extremities, and left lower extremity are not related to service.

The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if OSA is related to military service or caused by service-connected major depressive disorder.