Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sacroiliac joint pain syndrome, right leg radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Folliculitis remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty or any period of ACDUTRA. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his OSA, and another addendum opinion from the January 2015 VA examiner is needed for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 23, 2018. The rating for his femoral radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not the cause of his current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,However, the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple areas, including heart disability as secondary to pre-pyloric ulcer with antrum scarring and hiatal hernia, liver disability with hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), sleep apnea, skin disability (Stevens Johnson syndrome), and right leg disability. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims or establishing service connection.

A 20 percent rating for traumatic osteoarthritis of left acromioclavicular joint is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her sleep apnea.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for OSA is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent and the reduction from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper.,An effective date prior to November 9, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been granted. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted after the last decision. The Veteran did not waive AOJ consideration of this evidence.

The Board has determined that VA medical opinions are necessary to address the potential relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his claimed vision disorders, sleep apnea, hypertension, and cerebral hemorrhagic stroke. The claims for secondary service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder is related to service, particularly his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding direct service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected migraines and if they were the initial manifestations of her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The issue of entitlement to individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia has been denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA benefits purposes.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for hypertension and alcoholism have both been reopened. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depression and/or mood disorder), migraine headaches, and sleep apnea on secondary basis to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's joint pain, coronary artery disease, diabetes, eye disorder, glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder (asthma), liver disorder, kidney disorder, erectile dysfunction, residuals of TBI, restless leg syndrome, GERD, and other issues have been remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate previous opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine DJD is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 9, 2015. However, the combined effect of his other disabilities (including diabetes and cervical spine disability) also contributed to his inability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an allergy disorder (to include allergic rhinitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sleep apnea was denied, and the issue of service connection for nasal scar residuals is remanded for further evaluation.