Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary dysfunction, characterized by benign pleural plaques and obstructive sleep apnea, was denied for increased ratings. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an increase in any rating category during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is found to be the primary cause of his current OSA and headaches. His right shoulder, lumbosacral strain, and right knee disabilities are all granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports his assertion of an in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since discharge.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied due to lack of competent medical evidence showing a current disability or association with service.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus was denied. The issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot big toe condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, and the claim is now considered closed.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence that it manifested during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for fainting spells, sleep apnea, and headaches to obtain additional medical evidence and determine their etiology.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for COPD and asbestosis, but has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last final denial. A VA examination is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted a TDIU effective April 4, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic colon cancer, which the appellant claims is related to his service. The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran’s exposure to herbicide agents at least as likely as not directly caused his colon cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, and TDIU due to multiple disabilities. Additional development is needed to obtain SSA records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his current respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability claimed as due to asbestos exposure, and a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for left thumb sprain and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 26, 2015, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing worsening of symptoms within one year prior to the August 26, 2015, increased rating claim.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right thumb disability and headaches are granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, and remanded it for further development. The Veteran was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2013, which could substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's heart murmur is not considered a disease or injury subject to service connection.,Service connection for GERD was denied as there is no evidence of an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical treatise evidence that addressed possible relationships between sleep, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches and PTSD. The claims are now recharacterized as secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's pes planus is suspected to be related to his service-connected left foot disability, while his obstructive sleep apnea may have been aggravated by his prescribed medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The right shin disability claim is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran. The COPD rating remains at 30 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a withdrawal request by his representative. The case is remanded for further examination and development regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.