Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, left lower extremity are remanded due to the incorrect application of rating criteria. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that it was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have pre-existing sleep apnea prior to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic medically unexplained multi-symptom illness, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. Service connection has only been granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease with dyspnea, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and residuals of rib fracture.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 22, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and that new evaluations are necessary for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee injuries, and left knee injury. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to her PTSD. The medical evidence supports that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by her PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, but has remanded the issue of service connection for impaired vision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and OSA are denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records from SSA and private treatment facilities.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The Veteran was denied a compensable rating for his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be remanded to obtain clarifying opinions from VA examiners regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other disabilities. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea or whether it is related to any service-connected disability. Additionally, he needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records should be obtained as they may contain relevant information about his SSA disability claim. The Veteran also needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires further evaluation of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to have been incurred during active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed for the period prior to January 17, 2017 due to his already receiving SMC based on housebound status. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on behalf of the Veteran from January 17, 2017.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.