Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and dental trauma due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pneumonia, right knee disability, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathies, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because there is no medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings are found to be appropriate.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for OSA. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence of asbestos exposure or radiation exposure during service and concluding that any current respiratory disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the existing evidence did not establish a nexus between OSA and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, an initial compensable rating for PFB, and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain were denied. The claim for service connection for TBI was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with obtaining medical records and clarifying unit history reports. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II (claimed as herbicide exposure), are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cystitis, onychomycosis, and lumbosacral DJD have been denied. The initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral DJD from June 12, 2008 to July 24, 2009 has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep impairment, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran testified that his OSA began during service and is due to or aggravated by his now service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and left heel spur. The Veteran's left heel spur was found to be moderately severe, but the claim of a higher rating for this condition is also denied.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma and sleep apnea due to insufficient findings regarding their etiology and pathophysiology. The Veteran's VA medical examinations from before Stewart v. Wilkie were not sufficient, and new opinions are needed.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with rosacea from April 14, 2008 to December 8, 2008, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition during other periods.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is not the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, but he has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2015.,From May 1, 2015 to April 18, 2016, the Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and COPD, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there was no evidence linking the current sleep apnea and COPD to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of TDIU prior to April 24, 2017; ischemic heart disease evaluation in excess of 30 percent; service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to other service-connected disabilities; and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA audiological examination to determine the current nature and severity of any right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not shown to have current diagnoses of these conditions during or in proximity to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is remanded as no SOC has been issued addressing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to PTSD, diabetes, and/or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature that suggests a possible link between PTSD and sleep apnea.