Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, are likely to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity disorder, including radiculopathy. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed as he withdrew them. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service, and thus denied service connection. The case for a compensable rating of bilateral nuclear sclerosis with cataracts is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis with rhinitis, and chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and remands for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) are found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, foot fungus, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and its relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left leg due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings, effective from July 18, 2013. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has also been awarded.

The Veteran's spouse was not added to his compensation award prior to June 1, 2011 due to the lack of timely submission of a VA Form 21-686(c) declaration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the lowest possible non-compensable level.,Tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which cannot be increased further under current criteria.,Sleep apnea is currently rated at the highest available schedular rating (50%), and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's heart disorder is currently rated at 30%, with no higher rating being granted due to lack of specific findings supporting a higher level of disability.,PTSD has been rated as 30% prior to October 31, 2013, and 50% thereafter. No higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and medical records, scheduling examinations, and seeking private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset in service and are related to his current condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, finding it likely related to an in-service injury. The issue of whether his obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by this condition remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.