Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and sleep apnea. The rating for hemorrhoids remains unchanged at 10 percent. The case is remanded for further examination regarding sleep apnea.

The Veteran's GERD is not related to service and was not diagnosed until after service.,The Veteran's lower back disability did not have its onset in service or since, and is not linked to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The condition may be exacerbated by the Veteran's nightmares related to his PTSD.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition began during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to GERD, and the earlier effective date for erectile dysfunction on the basis of CUE. The claims are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of GERD and its relationship to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present since service. The denial of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is based on lack of evidence linking PTSD to the condition.

The Board denied service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, right calf strain, stomach hernia (umbilical), and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sleep apnea were dismissed because the appeal is not about service connection, but rather a request to substitute as claimant due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected condition, specifically his broken nose. A new medical opinion is needed to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for sleep apnea. The Veteran's representative contends that the September 2013 VA opinion is not specific enough and requires a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative changes has been rated at 40 percent since May 20, 2014. The rating is based on functional loss due to limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches has been granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for hypertension and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and vertigo, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The issue of right leg numbness secondary to lumbosacral disc herniation is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board is remanding all issues for additional development and records.,The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records, including military personnel records and service treatment records.,The VA psychiatric examination in January 2018 did not provide a clear opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is needed.,VA lumbar and cervical spine examinations were inadequate and require further evaluation to determine functional impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his last date of employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred during service and the Board found no causal relationship to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbosacral strain, a cervical strain, right foot metatarsalgia, left foot metatarsalgia, and residuals of an injured ring finger of the left hand. The effective date is not specified.