Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for a skin condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis other than scars of the head and neck.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for lung disease, sleep apnea, and skin cancer. The Veteran's service aboard USS Forrestal may need to be clarified regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, right ankle disorder, cold injury residuals in the lower extremities, low back disability, and heart disability due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s hypertension is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cold injury residuals in the lower extremities and right ankle disorder are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected low back disability. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s heart disability is secondary to his hypertension.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease prior to December 27, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The Board directed that an examination should be obtained to estimate the functional loss during flare-ups.,The Veteran's claims for heart disability and hypertension are also being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings related to hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease with stable angina, and PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for further clarification on the relationship between sleep apnea, service-connected lumbar spine disability, and obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as well as whether his service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) aggravate his sleep apnea. The decision is based on the need for additional development of the record due to the Veteran's inability to attend in-person examinations.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer and related conditions are rated at 30 percent since November 21, 2013. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and determination of TDIU.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma.,Service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to asthma has been granted. However, the TDIU issue remains pending due to the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disability, dizziness, and headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,The Board also noted that the Veteran’s current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral vertigo, and headache disorder were not related to his in-service complaints or treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty in the Navy and have continued since then. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of symptoms observed by fellow service members.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The cases of obstructive sleep apnea, urinary disability (neurogenic bladder and voiding dysfunction), and asthma are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace for the 2013 calendar year, as well as for his back brace and left knee brace for the 2016 calendar year. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities causing wear and tear to his clothing.

The Veteran's asthma with sleep apnea is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has vacated the July 16, 2019 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions. The claims are now pending with the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to a TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues with the pending claim of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is being remanded as the date of claim is not clear.,A 30% rating has been granted for migraine headaches, effective from September 4, 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression and PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for memory loss is denied because it is a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD with minor neurocognitive disorder and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of OSA is remanded due to the need for a sleep study and further etiological opinions regarding its onset, aggravation by PTSD, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a July 2016 VA opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor, prostate cancer, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The Board will seek verification of herbicide agent exposure in Korea and obtain an addendum opinion from an audiologist to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.