Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD effective from October 22, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell’s palsy, cervical spine DDD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Fibromyalgia have been granted. Service connection is established for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial rating for ischemic heart disease, effective date for hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be returned for further development and an opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for OSA and granted it, finding that a new opinion linking the condition to service was submitted after the initial denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the August 2017 Board remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, chronic renal disease/diabetic nephropathy, and depressive disorder.,Effective dates are denied for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied service connection for gout, a bilateral knee condition other than gout, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or relationship to service. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including locating missing service treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for upper back disorder, rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's thoracic spine spondylosis was diagnosed in service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes. Rhinitis existed prior to service entrance but the Board found clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service. Sleep apnea manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the initial denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is not final due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is being remanded to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in or related to his military service, and if it is aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including retroperitoneal fibrosis and tinnitus. The claims of GERD and sleep apnea are still pending and will be considered in conjunction with the TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism or sleep apnea due to insufficient reasoning in the June 2015 VA examination report.

The Board has found the VA examiner's opinion inadequate and remands for further examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and residuals of right knee patellectomy are being remanded. The previous denial of these claims remains in effect.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service, but more evidence is needed to determine this.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence and requests for updated VA examinations, SSA records, and employment education information. The Veteran's disabilities are expected to be evaluated in detail.