Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service and denied it. The remaining issues of low back disability, skin condition on the back, and left foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current spinal disabilities. The right arm/shoulder disability issue is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination and requires additional information regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made. The lung and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied.

Obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury with memory loss and dizziness (TBI residuals), and migraine headaches have been granted service connection effective July 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as increased ratings for right knee strain with osteoarthritis and left knee strain with osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's National Guard service from January 1997 to November 2000 is unclear, and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental disabilities of teeth #7, #8, and #9 have been denied. The Board found no current evidence of a compensable dental disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his nasal fracture residuals.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities. Service connection is denied for residuals of a left forearm injury.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but remanded the claims for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's OSA and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with panic attacks are granted service connection. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and MDD claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for excessive weight gain, left hand tremor, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed. The right foot disorder claim was denied. Service connection for rhinophyma rosacea has been granted with a 60% rating prior to December 15, 2015, and a 10% rating thereafter.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective June 25, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service or is related to his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the OSA was aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, and OSA has been denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support these claims.,Regarding hypertension, the Veteran submitted medical journal articles suggesting a link to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus, but no competent medical opinion was provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and its origins during service. The claim will be further developed by obtaining relevant records, including a prior sleep study.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion from a specialist on these issues.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded due to the inability to contact the Veteran for scheduling these exams.