Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea condition, specifically whether it is related to service or any in-service exposure. The decision on service connection for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and sleep disorder to include OSA due to exposure to burn pits in service. The Veteran's lay testimony of continuous symptoms since deployment is not addressed by the November 2016 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and low back disability due to potential service connection issues. The examiner will need to consider whether these conditions are related to his military service, including PTSD and carrying heavy gear.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted based on a diagnosis after service and exposure to burn pit smoke during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ before a decision is made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for eczema of the hands and feet were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the conditions to service, and the current ratings are appropriate based on the severity of the skin condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, an initial rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residual neuropathy status/post left axillary mass aspiration. The effective dates of service connection are also remanded due to unadjudicated assertions of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and facet joint arthropathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anemia, arthritis or other disability of the lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and malignant melanoma. Service connection was reopened on new evidence for a kidney disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current condition had its inception during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a salivary gland condition, genitourinary condition (including benign prostatic hypertrophy), and pneumonia. Service connection was granted for hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), septoplasty, uvulopalatoplasty and turbinate cauterization, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected vitiligo.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no linkage between his current condition and his period of service or a service-connected disability. The most likely cause of his obstructive sleep apnea was his body mass index (BMI) of 38.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The claims are pending until further action is taken.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left upper back soft tissue spindle cell sarcoma is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the soft tissue spindle cell sarcoma claim.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea was granted. However, the claims of service connection for lung scarring, including pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis, were denied.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches prior to October 23, 2018 was granted at a 30 percent level. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for liver disability and sleep apnea due to VA examinations not being conducted as per the previous directives.,For the liver disability, the examination confirmed a diagnosis but provided a negative nexus opinion regarding herbicide exposure or other aspects of military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence.