Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to additional medical inquiry and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issues of increased ratings for left thigh, calf, and wrist disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM, esophageal condition, hypertension, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, lumbar DJD with IVDS, and sleep apnea, were all granted effective May 24, 2013. The Board found that there was no earlier claim received prior to the Veteran's most recent period of active service (March 2012 to May 2013).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's periods of active duty and ACDUTRA have not been fully accounted for in the claims file, including pertinent medical records related to his May 2000 surgery. The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea was incurred or aggravated while performing active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's low back disability, including associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, was granted a 20% rating effective October 29, 1998. A separate 10% rating for radiculopathy is also in effect since that date.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was diagnosed within a year of discharge and supported by lay statements, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted, but the effective date remains November 14, 2013.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was caused and incurred during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for skin cancer was also denied due to the lack of documented instances of skin cancer during the pendency of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding second-hand smoke exposure during service and its potential connection to the Veteran's death. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that second-hand smoke exposure in service caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran’s death, addressing all causes of death listed on his death certificate.

The Board has determined that the original denial was not final and remanded for a secondary service connection claim. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently denied as there are no new and material evidence to support his claim. However, the Board found the VA opinions inadequate and ordered an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is at least as likely as not proximately due to service-connected dysthymic disorder or prescribed Zoloft.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted in a prior rating decision, and the Board dismissed the appeal as moot due to this prior grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, skin cancer, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder were denied as they are not related to service. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing its relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and a compensable rating for hypertension due to the Veteran not having received a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for Hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches are granted. The initial rating for seborrheic dermatitis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,His initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent, but the case is remanded due to potential changes in his hearing status.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, SMC/AA, and gout is dismissed as no adequate substantive appeal was filed.,The appeals of service connection for sleep apnea and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been granted. The appeal of increased ratings for tinnitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD is dismissed. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) is remanded.