Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, an increased rating for PTSD, and a prior effective date for PTSD are being remanded due to unclear appeal status.

The Veteran's appeals on the merits have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety and panic attacks is found to be secondary to his service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. Service connection for emboli to both lungs, post-phlebitic syndrome with peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, and heart condition (cardiomegaly) are all granted. The Veteran's back disability and sleep apnea claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his request to withdraw from appeal, and the RO confirmed previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of sleep apnea and rectal bleeding (hemorrhoids) to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne vulgaris has been reopened and granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted, but the issue of a skin condition (acne rosacea and blepharitis) remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, sciatica (secondary to low back condition), and sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for keloids of the left shoulder is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, low blood pressure, and blisters as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been denied. The Board also remanded several other claims related to service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral dual level discogenic disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for glaucoma has been granted, but the claim remains denied. The Board has also remanded cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, due to incomplete records. Service connection for malignant melanoma of the left forearm and right leg is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The claim for depression is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a back condition was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS).

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and sleep apnea are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the claim was filed in May 2012 and the first evidence showing entitlement arose in September 2012. The effective date of the award is set at May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, a sleep disorder including obstructive sleep apnea, and various other conditions have been granted. The decision also remands several rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea likely began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and seeking medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has been granted. The Board has remanded the issue due to insufficient medical evidence.,The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for pes planus on a direct basis was denied as there is no new and material evidence.