Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gout is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability claimed as 'arthritis throughout most of body' is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed and claimed as PTSD, is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss and coronary artery disease cases are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and right leg arthritis as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's active duty period from June 1973 to July 1975.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher. The appeal for increased ratings for sleep apnea and headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including corroboration of the Veteran's claimed stressors and examination for bilateral upper extremity frostbite.

The Board has reopened several claims, including those for PTSD, but denied service connection for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder condition and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issues of increased ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), and TDIU. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and hemorrhoids are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The issues of service connection and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for wrist and hand conditions, as well as service connection for arthritis of the hands and fingers. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds a 40 percent rating is warranted for his diabetes mellitus as he requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records. The AOJ is instructed to secure the Veteran’s complete service personnel records and any in-service mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the effective date for service connection and initial rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The claim for service connection for a heart condition has not met the criteria. The Veteran's PTSD was increased to 50% effective September 29, 2010. The claim for sleep apnea is reopened.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, sleep apnea, and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded four claims: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, the effective date of service connection for major depressive disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's lawyer requested SOCs for all issues but did not receive them.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected Meniere’s disease. The rating for the Veteran's Meniere’s disease with hearing loss and tinnitus remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including arthritis of the right and left ankles, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea syndrome. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's insomnia/sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety/panic disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an anxiety/panic disorder and it is etiologically related to his active service. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.