Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims and the reopening of a pneumonia claim before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, was aggravated by his service in Iraq. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements and any potential aggravation of his sleep disorder by PTSD medications.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined and have their medical records reviewed in order to determine if they are entitled to higher disability ratings for their right ankle fracture and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right side flat foot and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus due to secondary to service-connected hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are not related to his active service, and there is no evidence that they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and red eyes with high pressure were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability, finding that both conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service records. The issues will be reconsidered after all available records are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's vertigo is rated at 10 percent, with the possibility of a higher rating if he experiences dizziness and occasional staggering.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional dependent compensation for his spouse is granted, with the effective date set at March 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right flat foot, left flat foot, right hip osteoarthritis with femoral acetabular impingement, and left hip osteoarthritis with femoral acetabular impingement. The diagnoses are supported by the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and instructions provided by the previous VA examiner. The Veteran's sleep apnea will need further evaluation, including a detailed history of symptoms and progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during active service and is granted as a result.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating for left knee disability, service connection for glaucoma and prostate disorder, special monthly compensation (SMC), and service connection for lumbar spine disability have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate disorder has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted, but the claim remains pending as it was previously denied in April 2000 and reopened based on new evidence. The claim is still denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability have been remanded as further development is needed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headache disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded as further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his active duty service, including environmental exposure in Iraq and/or burn pit exposure, is inadequate. Therefore, further examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is secondary to tobacco use or aggravated by a service-connected compression fracture deformity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection. The evidence did not support a finding of either direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and many years after separation from service, nor secondary service connection as his PTSD did not cause or aggravate his sleep apnea.