Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, hypertension, and sleep apnea as they are related to his service-connected PTSD. The claims of service connection for an enlarged prostate and gallstones have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence on file, including a need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain missing records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder and his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are found to be the cause of his lumbosacral spine disability, and he is granted a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, determining whether the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea and COPD are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 was granted a higher disability rating of 40 percent effective March 5, 2013.

The Veteran's left patellofemoral chondromalacia and subluxation are related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is denied for allergic rhinitis.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disorder.,Service connection is granted for cardiovascular disorder (claimed as sinus tachycardia), secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted, with a 40 percent rating assigned for the back disability effective February 23, 2011, and a 20 percent rating assigned for the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity effective February 23, 2011. The Veteran's initial ratings have not changed since the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a coccyx disability as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right lung cancer with status-post pneumonectomy and residual obstructive lung disease, assigning a 100% rating effective November 12, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been granted. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of hepatitis B carrier, and PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence, including a medical report from a private physician.

The Veteran's knee and back conditions have been evaluated, but the Board has determined that none of his claims are supported by sufficient evidence to warrant a grant of benefits.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of rhabdomyosarcoma of the right lower extremity, which he claims is secondary to chemical and/or herbicide exposure. The VA has requested additional medical records from West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a sleep disability (presumably sleep apnea). The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea. The VA examiner determined that the sleep apnea is less likely than not incurred in or caused by service, but did not address exposure to poor air quality during deployments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature, extent, severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.