Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service-connected PTSD and/or her medications for PTSD, and thus grants service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and lumbosacral neuritis/radiculopathy disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected left knee arthritis.,Her bipolar disorder is granted based on evidence showing it had its onset during service, with symptoms continuing since then.,Her sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea should be remanded due to an inadequate August 2015 VA opinion and the need for a new opinion considering the Veteran's statements about his symptoms during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, but has remanded the cases of residuals of a nasal fracture and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found that further development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and sleep apnea, as these conditions are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for tinnitus is denied as it is the highest available.,An extraschedular rating for tinnitus is also denied due to the maximum schedular rating being assigned.,Service connection for hearing loss is not granted because the Veteran does not have hearing impairment for VA purposes.,Effective from November 8, 2012, a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral DDD is granted. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to schedule a medical examination and provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, but denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and her lumbar spine disability was rated based on limitation of motion rather than IVDS. Her skin disability met criteria for a 10% rating since May 30, 2018. PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for TDIU, but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for polycystic kidney disease. The left hip scar case is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in May 2013, and the examiner found it less likely than not that the condition was incurred in or caused by service. However, the Board finds this opinion insufficient and requires a new one to address the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and headache disabilities due to inadequate medical examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and provide opinions regarding their impact on employment.

The Board denied service connection for fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, OSA and chronic fatigue syndrome as they are not caused by an event, injury or illness during active service.,Service connection was also denied for the increased disability evaluation for PTSD and additional compensation benefits for a dependent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active duty.