Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia are not service-connected, as they do not have a direct link to his military service. The examiner determined that the Veteran's OSA is less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand also includes requests for records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability. The case is now pending for further development and an appropriate opinion from a vocational expert.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability. Service connection is also granted for arthritis (right shoulder) but not OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right thumb disability, right big toe disability, and rosacea due to incomplete VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a thyroid disorder, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability for which service connection is sought. As such, no service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and schizophrenia, as well as constipation, GERD, sleep apnea, and CAD. The rating assigned is 100% for the seizure disability from October 6, 2014 onwards.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during service, and the Board finds that all three elements necessary for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to a single disability alone, and he is already rated at 100% disabling.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis is causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was found to not warrant increased ratings prior to June 4, 2013 and beginning June 4, 2013. The current disability rating for the condition remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide a new VA examination to address the etiology of all diagnosed low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The issues of increased rating for his back disability and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including chronic lumbosacral strain, is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include residuals of pneumonia and/or sleep apnea. The medical opinions provided by VA examiners do not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these conditions are April 8, 2008, August 24, 2015, and August 24, 2015 respectively.