Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional records. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again, with particular attention to its onset during service and any connection to his TMJ dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) as part of his higher rating claims. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and updating the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service, including accounts of snoring and difficulty sleeping during service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine this relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and whether it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and sleep apnea; an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis with tendinosis; an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD; and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent since then for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches (secondary to sleep apnea), benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary frequency, elbow bursitis, narcolepsy, and cataplexy are all granted. The effective dates for these conditions will be determined based on the specific claims and evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that his OSA is related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is service-connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's skin rash and sleep apnea are granted service connection. The Board has found the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis issue requires additional development as an examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that the current condition is not related to active duty service and there was no evidence of complaints or diagnoses in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), back condition, and right shoulder disability has been reopened. The heart condition claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and a 60% rating is granted for rheumatoid arthritis from April 29, 2002.,A 100% rating for rheumatoid arthritis is granted as of March 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, but there is no evidence of a direct link between Agent Orange exposure and hypertension or PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be linked to his sleep apnea.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is denied. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service, manifested during the initial post separation year, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including his back disability and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including opinions on service connection for psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right eye disabilities are denied as well as the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.