Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of current diagnosis. The case was remanded for further action on the GERD secondary to PTSD or medications taken for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The claim for headaches is remanded and a new medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran’s migraines and tension headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as an initial rating for low back disability in excess of 10 percent prior to November 1, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent on and after November 1, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and COPD/emphysema, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for stomach ulcers and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of facial trauma, to include a deviated nasal septum, are found to have caused or significantly contributed to the development of his current sleep apnea. The claim for sinusitis as secondary to residuals of facial trauma is remanded.

The Board cannot make a decision on the issue of sleep apnea service connection because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether it is related to PTSD. The case is being sent back for further examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 2011 for the assignment of a 20% initial disability rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's cervical spine and right knee patellofemoral syndrome increased ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability in either ear.,Service connection for OSA is denied as it did not manifest during service or be related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of an opinion regarding their relationship to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, has been granted. The claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and analysis.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset and insufficient medical opinion supporting a link between the current sleep apnea and service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are granted, but the issue of a compensable disability rating for his hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for right knee disorder and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with a current rating of 'Granted'.,Respiratory Disorder (COPD) was denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or relationship to service.,Sleep Disorder (other than Sleep Apnea) was denied as the Veteran's sleep impairment is linked to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the special monthly compensation claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is asked to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.