Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is remanded for a new VA examination to assess functional loss and range of motion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor (prostate cancer), vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and military service.,There is insufficient evidence to presume exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea cruris, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a cognitive disability. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including OSA, knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other chronic acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea due to herbicide exposure as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, and provide him with a notice letter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for dysplasia.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA is caused or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is not reopened due to lack of material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is set at March 30, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not caused by a service-connected condition.

The appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder claimed as memory loss is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cataracts of both eyes, obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (claimed as sleep apnea), arthritis of knees, bilateral, arthritis of shoulders, bilateral, DDD at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7, spondylosis with foraminal impingement at C5-6 and C6-7, claimed as arthritis of the neck, right shoulder tendonitis, tendonitis of both wrists, and spurs in fingers of both hands is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral shin splints, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to new evidence and need for further examination. The TDIU and DEA benefits claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, upper and lower respiratory disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left elbow epicondylitis; olecranon bursitis, muscle injuries, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or that they were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD, but remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 60% level, but not greater. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of cervical spine and low back disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to inadequate development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, finding that there was no causal relationship between the two conditions.