Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding various disability ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath/dyspnea, are due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service and the evidence does not support a finding that it was caused by exposure to environmental hazards. Service connection for diverticulitis is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for limitation of flexion of the right forearm and cubital tunnel syndrome, right have been remanded due to outstanding treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder (pulmonary fibrosis) has been remanded as there is no diagnosis provided in the record.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and left elbow disability have been remanded due to outstanding treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than November 10, 2014, for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for cubital tunnel syndrome, right has been remanded as there are outstanding treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraine headaches have been remanded due to outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder in remission remains pending.,The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, except for the TDIU claim which is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression secondary to a low back disability and sleep apnea secondary to depression. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions and potentially VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and GERD were found to have begun during service, with the former being aggravated by anxiety disorder. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records, inadequate examinations, and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for OSA and Raynaud’s disease are granted. The skin condition issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the private medical opinions provided by Dr. A.P. and Dr. Z.B., which did not address whether the service-connected psychiatric disability caused weight gain, obesity, or aggravated sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and the Veteran's National Guard service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety and panic disorder, and a back disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder was withdrawn. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia, skin disability, spondylosis of the back, and sleep apnea were granted. The Veteran's appeals for head injury residuals (right and left shoulders), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability were denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for OSA prior to February 4, 2016 and a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's OSA was manifested by persistent daytime hypersomnolence before February 4, 2016 and required the use of a CPAP machine after that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service, and thus remands the case for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not secondary to or related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals related to the appellant's claims for initial compensable ratings, effective dates earlier than specific dates, and service connection. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.