Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis due to a lack of medical examination or opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to his PTSD, and an expert opinion on the cause of his hepatitis will be sought.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be addressed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities have been granted, but the cases are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The VA examinations are inadequate for the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2007. The Veteran also has a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and TDIU beginning June 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and a need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The issues of rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding her ability to work prior to July 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), chronic lumbar strain, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,Service connection for sleep apnea was granted effective August 17, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), and dyslipidemia. The Board finds that these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified).,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The issue is remanded for further development.,The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and thus denies the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service, and he is now rated at the maximum disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to service and may be secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's 50 percent rating for lumbosacral sprain, degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is restored effective May 21, 2013. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Your appeal to establish service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and iron deficiency and anemia due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and a sleep disorder as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused and aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The restoration of the 30 percent disability rating for left knee degenerative changes is granted, as are separate ratings for painful limitation of extension of both knees and symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.,For lumbar degenerative joint disease with strain, the Veteran's claim has been remanded as his disability rating may need to be increased.