Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and vertigo due to a lack of records from a study conducted in 1958 at Great Lakes Naval facility by the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 4, where the Veteran claims he was subjected to multiple injections of antibiotics.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition, and the claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development regarding whether they are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified mood disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service nose fracture.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, as the evidence shows that his symptoms began during active duty and have continued since.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his service in Iraq, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and re-adjudication due to procedural issues, including the need to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) on the claims involving the left ankle disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and SMC based on loss of use of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral hand condition, left ear hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are all granted service connection. The decision on left ear hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service or to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee condition. The case will be returned for a new VA medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected dysthymia and panic disorder, but denied reopening of claims for low back disability, hypercholesterolemia, and increased rating for dysthymia and panic disorder. The Veteran's symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent due to impairment in social functioning.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of status post cholecystectomy and diverticulitis. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine its etiology.,Service connection for PTSD remains pending, with the need for additional development including obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis prior to April 13, 2012 and his TDIU claim prior to April 22, 2014 were both denied.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome and lumbosacral sprain/strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for a skin disability. The Board finds the VA examiner’s opinion inadequate due to lack of discussion on in-service treatment and lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current OSA and his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs more information about his periods of service. The AOJ must verify all his service dates and types, including any after 2009. If he had service after 2009, they need a medical opinion on whether his sleep apnea is related to that service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner did not address whether the OSA is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision also vacates part of a previous denial.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of new and material evidence.