Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and consideration of the etiology of his condition, including exposure to Gulf War environment hazards.

The Veteran's asthma and GERD have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.,Regarding his sleep disorder, the Veteran has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but further evaluation is needed to determine if he also has another sleep disorder.

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

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected asbestosis, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but only as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being added since the last decision. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered by the Regional Office (RO).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA. The issues of right knee disability, low back disability, and right foot or ankle disability are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea disorder is related to his service, including National Guard service from April 1982 to April 1984 and Florida National Guard and Reserve of Army from January 1994 to January 2001.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left arm disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been rated at the maximum available ratings, with no further increase warranted based on current evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hip disability, and right ankle disability as they are not related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but denied the secondary service connection claims for OSA related to PTSD and diabetes.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol as it is not a disability for VA purposes. The claims for sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted because the evidence shows that his symptoms in service, including snoring and difficulty sleeping, were precursors to later diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, as well as secondary service connection.

The Board finds that a VA examination and medical nexus opinions on direct service connection are needed due to the Veteran's statements about sleep problems during service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and his combined disability rating remains at 60 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.