Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE are rated at 40 percent beginning April 9, 2019.,A higher rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for supraventricular arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded because the VA examiner did not address whether his depression could be a contributing factor to his sleep apnea. The case will need to be reviewed with an updated examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issues of service connection for a stomach condition and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's schizophrenia and sleep apnea are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected heart condition. Service connection for left leg arthritis, stomach condition, and hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is required for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised as part of his increased rating claim. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a left elbow disorder, sleep apnea, and left knee tendonitis/tendonosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, specifically whether it is related to military service or 'accelerated damage' from exercises and running.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his active military service and insufficient medical opinion supporting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine if a neck disability is related to service. The TDIU claim prior to August 15, 2016 is also being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome was first diagnosed during his last period of active duty service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected ankylosing spondylitis and restrictive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's OSA and a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, COPD, sleep apnea, a left leg disability, and a cervical spine disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and granted. His erectile dysfunction is also service connected as secondary to his PTSD. The Board has remanded the issue of sleep apnea, which may be related to either PTSD or sinusitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. After considering all of the evidence, including a VA examination and lay statements, the Board finds that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service.