Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate his claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, L4-5 and L5-S1, as well as service connection for a cervical spine disorder. His TDIU claim is also before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability, including any associated neurologic abnormalities. The issue remains on appeal regarding extension of temporary convalescence ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and ischemic heart disease, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the difficulty of traveling to the VA Central Office. The issues include seeking service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and tuberculosis (claimed as positive PPD test), as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, and evaluations of his right and left foot plantar fascia releases prior to March 30, 2016 were denied. His initial compensable evaluation for a right ankle sprain was granted, as was an initial compensable evaluation for a left ankle sprain. However, he did not receive the requested increased evaluation for his left knee strain with patellar spur.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disease and arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol dependence, and thus grants service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and TDIU issues. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as a determination of whether he is eligible for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a failure to provide proper notice and scheduling of a hearing. The Veteran's new address must be provided, and a video conference hearing must be scheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's right ankle, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities have caused his clothing to wear out faster due to the use of supportive appliances. The Board has found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting an annual clothing allowance for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was granted.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus were dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and relationship of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including whether it is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities for which he is seeking benefits, and therefore, his claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension (HTN), bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's contentions regarding these conditions were found insufficient to meet the burden of proof.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for low back disability and service connection for sleep apnea syndrome are both pending.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for lumbar strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for right foot Morton's neuroma were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and vertigo.,Service connection for depression is established as the Veteran's current condition is presumed to have originated during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Dennis Kim.