Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for various conditions, including lumps under the arms, swollen legs, low back disorder, and sleep apnea as secondary to sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement, have been denied. The Board found no current disability for 'lumps' under the right and left arms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, low back condition, bilateral knee and ankle conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The decision also remanded the claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA had its onset during active duty, or is otherwise related to his service, including exposure to chemicals, fuels, sandstorms, and other environmental contaminants.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and a back disorder related to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, but has remanded them for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that the Veteran does not have left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, exercise-induced asthma, and back disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in October 2019 is inadequate for decision making purposes and does not substantially comply with the Board's remand directives. The Veteran’s claim of service connection for sleep apnea is therefore being remanded again for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a left knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or to his service-connected heart disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increase to this level.

Service connection granted for a headache condition due to service-connected major depressive disorder and tinnitus. Service connection also granted for a sleep disorder (OSA) related to major depressive disorder and GERD.

The Veteran's appeals for overpayment, service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for GERD, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right leg disability (diagnosed as sciatica/neuropathy) are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, finding that it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evaluations. The issues of entitlement to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are inextricably intertwined with his service-connected disabilities.