Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the knees prior to July 24, 2017 was denied. The claim for an increased rating for scars of the knees since July 24, 2017 was also denied.,The Board found that there is no basis upon which to award an earlier effective date than February 28, 2014, for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee surgical scars. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to its inextricability with another issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in these matters. The Veteran is not shown to have a hearing loss disability, and his right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to service and remanded for further action.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise and thus granting the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding no in-service injury or disease that caused the condition and no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury remains denied.,Service connection is granted for PTSD with an evaluation of 50% but the effective date is subject to review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The case will need further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence of its onset during active service or a link to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, and requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, heart condition, lung condition, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder tenosynovitis, right shoulder tenosynovitis, lumbosacral strain, and diverticulitis have been rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran’s right hand dermatitis has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle condition, and right bicep condition. The Veteran's rhinitis was granted service connection.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran’s hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the gastrointestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome) remains unresolved.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss need further examination to determine their etiology, and TDIU is remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and remanded the issues of lumbosacral strain, bilateral hand condition, and vision condition. The case is now REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these matters.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The issues of service connection for right hallux limitus and bilateral metatarsalgia were remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability, finding that the NOD with respect to the TDIU claim was untimely.