Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as a direct service connection, while PTSD was granted due to its being incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition and lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence, including the need to obtain VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The highest rating of 40 percent has been granted for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and acute hepatitis with kidney and liver problems are denied. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for right ulnar neuropathy prior to August 21, 2014, but his claim for higher ratings for PTSD from that date forward remains pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder calcific tendonitis and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected.,The Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or an effective date prior to March 14, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various knee disorders and sleep apnea. The appeals are now pending again due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records from February 2016 to the present, including hospitalization records from March and May 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to their interrelated nature.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea (secondary to asthma) due to additional development being needed.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis (to include as secondary to right knee disability), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression). The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted petitions to reopen service connection claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right wrists, as well as a claim for sleep apnea syndrome secondary to migraine headaches. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability, headaches, and sleep problems are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including seizure disorder, depression, and sleep apnea. The VA will seek private treatment records and schedule examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral total knee replacement and lumbosacral strain have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since March 1, 2011.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and the claim is granted to this extent only. The other issues are remanded for further evaluation.