Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected back condition, and thus remands the case for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his service-connected left ankle sprain. The Veteran needs further examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, dizziness, confusion/memory loss, headaches, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, specifically shift work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to missing VA treatment records, as well as a need for further examination of his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for reopening a previously denied left knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is granted on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The grant of service connection for this condition renders moot any other theories of service connection.,For the entire rating period prior to May 28, 2015, an initial disability rating of 80 percent for chronic kidney disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records detailing the Veteran's treatment for her claimed conditions are relevant and must be reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus partially contributed to his weight gain, which aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions. However, the Veteran does not have a current seizure disability that is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant VA treatment records from December 28, 2015 to the present which have not been reviewed. The Veteran's representative is requested to obtain these records and provide a copy of them to the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is not rated for extraschedular purposes, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed as he did not complete the necessary application form.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and asthma, requiring additional evidence to be considered by the RO.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of back disability, right hip condition, left hip iliotibial band syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea, finding that the conditions did not manifest during service or due to in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete development and procedural issues. Specifically, new evidence must be obtained regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether he has a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service. The claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease, TDIU, and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has decided that the case needs further examination and evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with arthritis, now claimed as spondylitis and neck disorder, is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.