Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and asthma are currently rated at 50 percent combined, but the Board has determined that separate evaluations for each condition cannot be granted due to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.96.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as caused by a service-connected psychiatric disorder and/or service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The effective dates have not been established.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all found to be secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The lower back disability, peripheral vascular disease of the extremities, and TDIU claim are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, effective date of service connection for his psychiatric disorder, and initial rating for his psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also being asked to provide medical records related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% initial rating. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for fibromyositis, lumbosacral spine with spasm (back condition), left ankle condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic rhinitis, esophagitis, and gastritis have been dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with a focus on secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, and PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea were found to have onset during service, warranting direct service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, sleep apnea, and neuropathy of the lower extremities.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive period.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has been reopened and is granted. The claims for Service Connection for Sleep Apnea, Liver Disability (other than Hepatitis C), Anxiety, PTSD, Dysthymic Disorder, and Depression are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to missing records and the need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or current disability. The Veteran's left ankle disability was also denied as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder is service connected as lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, which has been attributed to his current diagnosis and in-service treatment for back pain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service or any other factor.

The Board has denied reopening the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sleep apnea is denied, and the earlier effective date claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, evaluations for knee and cervical spine disabilities, and initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches due to insufficient rationale in the September 2016 DBQ. The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for a VA medical opinion clarifying its etiology.