Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his service or a service-connected condition, specifically hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The initial disability rating for ischemic heart disease remains at 10%. For the period prior to April 18, 2014, the initial disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted at 60%. The initial compensation rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernias remains at 0%.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for cardiovascular disorders, kidney disorders, strokes/TIAs, and sleep apnea due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral leg condition, sleep apnea, and a liver condition (secondary to pain medication for a bilateral knee condition). The claims for a bilateral upper extremity condition are also remanded. Additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran’s complete service personnel records.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a recurrent sleep disorder including obstructive sleep apnea, and an initial compensable rating for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the need for further VA evaluations due to incomplete medical records and the potential relationship between the disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's depression, sleep apnea, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and GERD. Effective December 30, 2011, the Veteran was awarded service connection for fibromyalgia, asthma, and cold induced urticaria with a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been reopened, and the rating of 10 percent for left knee subluxation has been restored. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for left hip, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete SSA records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 26, 2017. The issue remains on appeal for a higher rating prior to that date.,TDIU was granted from August 2010 to prior to October 26, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity, including as due to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and rating for lumbosacral spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability, with the onset during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizoaffective disorder has been granted, effective from December 1, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder, leading to an award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service, including in-service upper respiratory infections.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the conditions were first manifest during service.