Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected OSA is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during service or is related to service.,A 30 percent rating for bilateral flat feet, but no higher, has been granted since September 1, 2017. The preponderance of the evidence supports this decision.,The Veteran's PFB was increased from a noncompensable rating to a 10 percent rating effective September 1, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, stress incontinence, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish that these conditions began during service or were related to military service.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: service connection for bilateral foot disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), sleep apnea, and residuals of a cold injury of the hands. The Veteran's active service included time in Korea where he was exposed to cold temperatures.

The Board has restored service connection for a traumatic deviated nasal septum. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected traumatic deviated nasal septum.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea and an alternate theory of secondary service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 12, 2010. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS is rated at 10% prior to July 26, 2017, and 40% following that date. The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum of 50%. Both ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2014 VA examination and the need for a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations, which did not include all necessary findings. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted a 30% evaluation prior to December 29, 2016 and a 50% evaluation beginning December 29, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The decision also grants a rating of 30 percent for sinusitis from January 1, 2014 to October 16, 2014, and remands other issues including service connection for left shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disorder, psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected disorder), and initial rating higher than 10 percent for allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, vitiligo, thyroid disability, lateral instability of the right knee, and a right knee lateral meniscus tear with chronic sprain and early degenerative changes. The claim for increased ratings for these conditions was also dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from May 8, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and hemorrhoids are remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The effective date issue is not addressed as it pertains to a different claim.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of the cost of a sleep study at SLMVRMC on June 12, 2014 was denied because it did not meet the criteria for VA payment or reimbursement due to lack of authorization and non-emergent nature.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal of his increased rating for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis was dismissed. His petition to reopen a claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, and he is entitled to a 30% rating for migraines prior to February 4, 2015. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues, including increased ratings for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, ulcerative colitis and GERD, and appendectomy with residual scar. As a result, the Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain rating is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition, including any neurological manifestations such as left leg sciatica.