Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, and depression. The appeal for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his diabetes mellitus, asthma, sleep apnea, COPD, emphysema, PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, coccidioidomycosis, back degenerative disc disease, and angular glaucoma claims are all REMANDED.

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

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been remanded for further development. The Board found that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is new evidence sufficient to reopen several service connection claims, including for severe headaches, auditory hallucinations, left knee condition, right knee condition, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development of his records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during service are related to her current condition. The rating for asthma remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee instability, right knee disability, post-traumatic midfoot mass, hearing loss, tinnitus, arrhythmia, hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, acne rosacea, tension headaches, and tingling and numbness in hands, fingers, toes and forehead. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and OSA, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board also denied compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for renal failure due to a lack of VA care during gallbladder surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA examination records and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has expanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient examination report and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective March 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not show improvement in his condition and thus denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a sprain of the right third finger PIP joint due to pain without limitation of motion.,Service connection for costochondritis (Tietze Syndrome) is denied as there is no evidence meeting the service connection requirements.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement, and chronic lumbar strain are remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for atrial fibrillation and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle sprain, IBS, and GERD are REMANDED.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased rating for low back disability, and initial compensable rating for right foot and left foot calluses.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's low back disability was not manifested by ankylosis nor did it require bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or directly linked to his time on active duty. The Veteran and his fellow service members have provided credible statements of their observations during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is neither proximately due to nor aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected PTSD.