Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, specifically his MOS as military police and any environmental exposures during service.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits are remanded due to his current employment issues and the need for a new vocational rehabilitation assessment considering his service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is also instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for emphysema, sleep apnea, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and pulmonary hypertension (secondary to a now service-connected heart condition). The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of loss of a right fallopian tube and remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and genitourinary disability.

The Veteran's appeals for lung disease, prostate cancer, and cholesterol have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis. Tinnitus has been granted as service-connected.,The remaining issues are remanded: stomach condition (claimed as ulcer), sleep apnea, hernia, and optic nerve eye condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service or aggravated by his subsequent periods of active duty. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder NOS prior to October 31, 2014, and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee condition, service connection for a left knee condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied as there was no prior claim on a standard form prescribed by the Secretary. A rating of 70 percent for recurrent major depressive disorder with alcohol/drug use disorder from October 6, 2015 but not earlier is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a VA examination, and the Veteran is advised to cooperate in rescheduling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, service connection for headaches, left knee and right ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records, verify the Veteran's Reserve service, schedule a VA examination for PTSD, and request additional information for the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an etiology opinion for the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is currently considered a direct service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination. The appeal is not granted on these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear condition (other than tinnitus), to include otitis externa, is denied. The claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions, with hypertension potentially related to herbicide exposure and sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's asbestosis with obstructive sleep apnea and COPD has been rated at 60 percent, but the Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for plantar warts and service connection for acid reflux as secondary to headaches have been dismissed.,Her appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, which is now considered secondary to her service-connected restrictive airway disease (RAD), has also been denied. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on this issue.