Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ring or little finger disability, right wrist disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The increased rating claims for left knee strain and right knee strain were also denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected frontal sinusitis, to include chronic rhinitis. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea based on the secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claims for back condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor verification process is ongoing.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted a 30% rating prior to February 24, 2014. From that date forward, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his sleep apnea. The Veteran's headaches are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected nasal polyps, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diverticulitis, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), headaches, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, high blood pressure, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.,The Veteran's near continuous thirst is not considered a separate disability for compensation purposes and thus denied.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, mood disturbances, anger, and panic attacks and therefore not separately service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability remains in dispute and requires further examination and evidence.,The Veteran's sleep disability (specifically sleep apnea) is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's prostate disability and left-hand skin disability are both remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiologies, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,reasoning_summary

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension. Service connection is remanded for sleep apnea, which may be related to hypertension.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and service connection for sickle thalassemia disease. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC at the (k) rate for loss of use of a creative organ were granted effective April 26, 2018. The Veteran's sleep apnea was also granted service connection effective April 26, 2018.,An earlier effective date of April 28, 2017, was established for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD and SMC (k).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent and 40 percent for her service-connected right lumbosacral plexopathy due to a lack of recent VA examination, and for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran and her representative have provided a study suggesting a potential link, which needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and sinus condition are granted as service-connected.,A 20 percent rating is granted for the low back disability prior to March 10, 2017.

The Board has restored the disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of right radius fracture to their previous levels due to insufficient evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, schedule new examinations for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, provide notice on how to substantiate the TDIU claim, and request that he supply the requisite information.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations related to his hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart disease, prostate cancer, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.