Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed or remanded. The diabetes claim was withdrawn, OSA and hypothyroidism were granted as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus another remand is warranted for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar or lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient determination of current arthritis and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will need further examination and an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The issues of service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip disabilities (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), and obstructive sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran and his family provided statements about their experiences with the Veteran's symptoms during service, but these were not addressed in the previous examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service or if it was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar strain was denied. The current rating is 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

Service connection for a right elbow disorder is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is granted. Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in September 2018 did not consider the Veteran's lay statements and was based solely on the lack of records in his service treatment records. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction has not manifested in the need for dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods, as recorded or verified by a physician, or in interincisal range of less than 30 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening during the relevant rating period.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity may have increased in severity since the most recent VA examinations were provided.

The Board has requested a remand to review new evidence received after the January 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case and issue a new decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected rhinoplasty, septoplasty and cartilage graft in service. The examiner must also opine whether sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the claims of bilateral knee arthritis, TDIU prior to December 29, 2015, and SMC due to need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has vacated its decision denying service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service nor caused by a service-connected disability. His current depression is more likely related to situational stressors rather than his service-connected disabilities.,For the headache (migraine) disability, the Board granted a 50 percent rating since April 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's disabilities are related to service. The issues include right knee disability, lumbar disability, nasal disorder, TBI, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.