Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain has been granted. The Board has remanded all other issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to establish a link between his claimed sleep apnea and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylitis and facet arthroplasty evaluated at 20 percent disabling, service connection for PTSD, service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the right lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence showing that a formal or informal claim was received prior to March 29, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylitis and facet arthroplasty evaluated at 20 percent disabling, service connection for PTSD, service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the right lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence showing that a formal or informal claim was received prior to March 29, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylitis and facet arthroplasty evaluated at 20 percent disabling, service connection for PTSD, service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the right lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence showing that a formal or informal claim was received prior to March 29, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, spondylitis and facet arthroplasty evaluated at 20 percent disabling, service connection for PTSD, service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the right lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity are all denied as there is no evidence showing that a formal or informal claim was received prior to March 29, 2017.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorders are aggravated by his service-connected conditions or related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that VA must provide an examination and obtain opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service, as well as whether his PTSD has aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his lumbosacral strain, cervical spine, and knee conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Sleep Apnea, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and GERD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for GERD.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues of bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.,Service connection for a left ventricular hypertrophy is granted, subject to further review.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is reopened, and the case is REMANDED for further development. The Veteran's PTSD disability rating remains in appellate status as the maximum rating has not been assigned.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded as there is insufficient evidence on whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, testicular cancer, heart condition, and GERD due to potential service connection issues. The claims are being reviewed again as there is insufficient medical evidence or opinions regarding whether these conditions were caused by or incurred during military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, hand and shoulder conditions, eye disorders, hearing loss, migraine headaches, and knee disorders. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for primary sclerosing cholangitis and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset, nature, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the November 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being reconsidered as they may be related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete information in the July 2019 VA examination report. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically PTSD and barosinusitis, and if it is etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right knee, and sleep apnea disorders. The Veteran's vision disorder was also not granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a back disability has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are also reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were denied as not incurred or aggravated by service.,Obstructive sleep apnea was also denied as unrelated to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction are currently under consideration due to their potential secondary relationship with his psychiatric condition.,The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the PTSD claim and for the erectile dysfunction claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits is remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The dental condition claim was denied, while other claims remain pending.