Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA examination records and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has expanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient examination report and need for additional development.

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

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective March 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not show improvement in his condition and thus denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a sprain of the right third finger PIP joint due to pain without limitation of motion.,Service connection for costochondritis (Tietze Syndrome) is denied as there is no evidence meeting the service connection requirements.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement, and chronic lumbar strain are remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for atrial fibrillation and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle sprain, IBS, and GERD are REMANDED.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased rating for low back disability, and initial compensable rating for right foot and left foot calluses.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's low back disability was not manifested by ankylosis nor did it require bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or directly linked to his time on active duty. The Veteran and his fellow service members have provided credible statements of their observations during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is neither proximately due to nor aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period, and the medical evidence does not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for sleep apnea due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder, seizure disorder, and increased ratings for burn scars and pseudofolliculitis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to September 15, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7806. The issue of a higher rating since September 15, 2014 is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for left eye disability and sleep apnea, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot arthritis, depression, and sleep apnea have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,New evidence received since the final decisions supports the underlying claim of service connection for each condition.