Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, and requests that updated VA treatment records be obtained as well as an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and denied service connection for tinnitus and heart disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is linked to his active service, while sleep apnea is secondary to his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity paralysis secondary to surgical repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current condition was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability resulted in a thoracolumbar range of motion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees when considering pain, weakness, fatigability or incoordination. The Board denied the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings on multiple conditions, including prostate cancer, shoulder disabilities, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, knee instability, ankle disabilities, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hand conditions, specifically whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for straightening of the lordosis, sleep apnea, dermatitis, and syncope were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral knee pain and granted it. The claims for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a pain disorder, heart disease, carotid artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia are all denied.

The Board has determined that a 50 percent initial disability rating for the Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, effective October 18, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the evidence shows that OSA was present during his military service and diagnosed shortly after separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims, rating determinations, and the need for special monthly compensation based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted with an effective date of April 23, 2013. Service connection for a right eye disability and left eye disability are denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied. Secondary service connection for headaches and acquired psychiatric disability (including an adjustment disorder and depressive disorder) aggravated by tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for degenerative disc disease with mild stenosis of the cervical spine was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as due to his major depressive disorder, finding that the condition is aggravated by his psychiatric condition.