Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected back disability. The issues of increased ratings for left wrist, lumbosacral spine, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of an adequate and timely VA Form 9 in response to the November 2015 Statement of the Case.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that his PTSD aggravates his pre-existing sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction were not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) was also not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his posterior laminectomies and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosac spine. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation were denied as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's testicle condition claim is denied as he does not have a present diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support an etiological link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection for a back condition. Additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss. However, the left leg condition and headaches have not been substantiated by the provided evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to PTSD and medication for a service-connected back disability). The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service that could be linked to current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder. Service connection is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death from Parkinson's disease. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that any of his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were reopened. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, while service connection for both tinnitus and sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded three separate claims for additional development due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, right foot disorder, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran was scheduled to appear at a hearing but failed to show up without good cause.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with grade 1 spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches (secondary to sleep apnea), an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and anxiety) secondary to service-connected disabilities, a higher rating for sleep apnea, and a compensable rating for postoperative ventral hernia. The Veteran's claim for reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted.