Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with wedge deformities of the thoracic spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet his claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's pulmonary asbestosis is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his pulmonary asbestosis is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied. The Board also remanded the cases of increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU evaluation.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and confirmation of Southwest Asia service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and ischemic heart disease were denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation claims, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease, are remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for GERD and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD and asthma, rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD, and rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma. The Veteran's sleep apnea was found less likely than not caused by or the result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD remains pending.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his active duty service and/or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure and PTSD, is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including follicular inflammation, PFB, acne, rosacea, dermatitis, and alopecia, are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with obesity claim is remanded due to unclear basis for including obesity in the evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD with obesity claim.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent since January 6, 2011. A separate 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with DDD of the lumbosacral spine is also granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The Board also remanded the issue of respiratory disability (including tuberculosis) due to Gulf War exposure, but did not reach a decision on it.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for these conditions as they are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a TMJ disorder and denied service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes. The issue of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The appeal regarding the rating of PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as the TDIU prior to July 12, 2017, is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his current low back condition is not related to his active service and that presumptive service connection does not apply.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including considering his service treatment records and medical articles submitted by him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.