Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining post-service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's liver disability is denied as it is not related to his service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's OSA is denied as it was not caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD.,His hypertension was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board finds that it is less likely than not caused by the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again as it may be related to his service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from January 12, 2009 until October 28, 2015. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to PTSD have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea and bruxism, as well as TDIU. The initial rating claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea was incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness, and if it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea due to Gulf War Syndrome. The RO is instructed to obtain all post-service medical records related to these conditions and seek an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether any current diagnoses are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing his spouse's observations and the Veteran's reports from bootcamp.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, headaches, left and right plantar fasciitis are all granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus and foot injuries remain in dispute.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Both lower extremity radiculopathies are currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeals for higher ratings have also been denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as it was granted in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations, as well as the provision of proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left gluteal muscle strain were evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 29, 2019. The disability was found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening the claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The application to reopen a claim for service connection for depression was granted, but the Board also remanded claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was restored to 20 percent effective February 28, 2017.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2015 for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial 20 percent rating prior to August 23, 2017. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's cervical spine strain.