Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 14, 2018. The cervical spine disability secondary to the service-connected low back disability is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are all granted as service-connected. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for facet syndrome of the lumbosacral spine. The issues of service connection for a low back condition other than facet syndrome, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with multilevel disc bulge and compression of the thecal sac was restored to 40 percent effective September 1, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service connection for a residual scar from an in-service right-hand injury is granted. The Veteran's secondary service connection for sleep apnea as related to his service-connected PTSD/major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's cervical strain disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to January 17, 2017. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.,For the period from January 17, 2017 onwards, the Veteran’s cervical strain disability warrants remand as there are no current findings of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The appeals for the low and middle back, right ankle, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and hepatitis C, but granted service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic and anxiety features. The Veteran's claim for headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, weight gain or obesity, and his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected mood disorder, and Barrett’s esophagus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and denied service connection for hypertension. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at March 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to residuals of septo-rhinoplasty, was also reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniated disc and IVDS with back strain (back condition), and left knee strain were denied as the original claim was not filed within one year of a period of service from which he was separated under conditions other than dishonorable.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's cervical stenosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are both rated at the maximum disability evaluation of 20 percent prior to April 13, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy of the feet and legs, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and depression due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on ships off the coast of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for a headache condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a total disability rating based on unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active military service and is associated with his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, back disability, and bilateral flatfoot have been reopened due to new evidence received.,Service connection has not been granted for psoriasis.