Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, and acid reflux conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, specifically regarding the service-connected lumbosacral strain and TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as it has been granted in full. The appeal regarding obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, lumbosacral strain and right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The claims of reopening service connection for cervical spine disability and right ear hearing loss, as well as the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability (claimed as low back pain), right sciatic nerve pain, gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, obstructive sleep apnea, finger disability (right pinky finger dislocation), acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), hair loss (alopecia), and skin rash are all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by frequent urination or bladder incontinence and night sweats is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Further investigation into the Veteran's treatment records from 2005-2010 is needed, as well as a new VA examination for his lumbosacral strain and an addendum opinion regarding his left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The claim for GERD is being remanded as there may be a secondary relationship between the acid reflux and his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded because of in-service breathing difficulties and nasal obstructions.,The claims for right knee, left knee, and shin splints are being remanded due to potential secondary relationships with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded as there may be a relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.,No effective date provided as these claims are still pending.,No rating assigned as these claims are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected asthma. The examiner must provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal groin disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his left inguinal groin disability as there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event, nor is it at least as likely as not related to any etiology. For the obstructive sleep apnea claim, additional examination and opinion are needed regarding whether it had its onset during service, is secondary to his service-connected disabilities (including obesity), and if so, whether it would have occurred without the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder is related to service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection. The cervical spine disorder issue has been remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not attributable to active military service and has not been caused or aggravated by her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine condition and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for them. A 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted. The lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to increased symptoms not addressed in the previous examination. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also remanded as new evidence or clarification of medical opinions may be needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unresolved issues with her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on evidence of current disabilities and in-service exposure, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is associated with his service-connected conditions, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional medical opinions regarding his fatigue, multiple sclerosis, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now pending.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability, finding that his obesity caused by his service-connected right foot disability was a substantial factor in causing his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for memory loss was dismissed.,A new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of a claim for service connection for a back disorder. Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the spine.,Service connection is denied for residuals of frostbite as there is no diagnosis of such during or approximate to the current claim period.,The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for OSA was not addressed due to insufficient evidence, and remanded.,The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for HTN was not addressed due to insufficient evidence, and remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for issues of service connection and ratings for various conditions. The Board is remanding several cases for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), left knee disorder (secondary to right knee disability), bilateral thumb disorders, bilateral index finger disorders, bilateral little finger disorders, bilateral middle finger disorders, bilateral ring finger disorders, bilateral shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and bilateral elbow disorder are all being remanded for further examination and evidence collection.