Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The case will be returned for further development, including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea and a headache condition for further development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed to determine if there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for degenerative disc disease of lumbosacral spine and TDIU prior to July 17, 2017 due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran needs an adequate VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and depression, but has remanded the issue of hypertension.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted for any condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cirrhosis of the liver due to insufficient evidence. The claims are not currently decided on service connection grounds.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective date for hypertension was set at July 4, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for TIA/stroke residuals due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple joint arthritis, left eye glaucoma, breathing disability, colon cancer, and psychiatric disorder due to lack of proper examination and evidence. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective from the date of this decision. The other claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and hypertension. Service connection is denied for high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, throat condition, respiratory condition, and acid reflux.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than the current levels.,PTSD was granted service connection in 2012, but an earlier effective date is denied due to lack of prior claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea/sleep disorder have been remanded.,His initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, as his hearing acuity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The appeals regarding the evaluation of PTSD and remand for additional examinations are noted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine the cause of his condition, considering service records and clinical indicators.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his mood disorder. His lightheadedness is not a separate diagnosis but rather a symptom of the medication he takes for his mood disorder. An initial 40 percent rating is granted for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The rating for back strain prior to December 14, 2010, was denied. A rating of 20 percent for back strain from December 14, 2010, was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for back strain after December 14, 2010, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with history of right sciatica was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2014. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 20 percent rating.