Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for a compensable evaluation from December 1, 2010 to September 13, 2013 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from September 13, 2013 for his left knee disability due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified joint pain, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and a 50% rating for pes planus is granted. A separate disability rating of 20% for left knee semilunar cartilage dislocation is also granted. The right and left shoulder disabilities and right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his active service and is granted as a result.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for COPD, atrial fibrillation (secondary to COPD and sleep apnea), and mild obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with myositis and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of her employment history.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability and denied the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The reopened claim will be further adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition developed during his active duty service and is not due to a pre-existing condition. The evidence shows an increase in severity following deployment to Southwest Asia.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his in-service injury and is not aggravated by a post-service injury. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 40 percent from June 7, 2017.

The Veteran's tinnitus and urticaria are granted service connection as they are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.