Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. A compensable initial rating of 10% has been assigned for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board also granted service connection for his sinus condition, sleep disorder, and headaches due to exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted and remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board.,His current service-connected conditions include right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's back disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea. The decision found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's mental health disability and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Increased ratings for frozen foot, left and right feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to new evidence received after the previous denial.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, neurological disabilities of the arms and legs, and a chest disability. The remand includes obtaining additional medical records, conducting VA examinations, and addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has restored the ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of entitlement is the day following his discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected, while hyperglycemia and cervical spine disability are denied. Diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea were not diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and right hip contusion due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology, and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, and ischemic heart disease have been denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with anxious features) is also granted.,Service connection for left foot hammer toes and right foot hammer toes was not established as the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for hypertension. The decision also grants a TDIU and awards a 70% rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, back disability, fungal infection of the bilateral feet, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.