Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability and sleep apnea, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, left knee strain residuals, and right knee strain residuals. The evidence does not establish a chronic condition that manifested to a compensable degree in service or within a presumptive period, nor is continuity of symptomatology established.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 22, 2014 is being remanded due to its inextricability with his previously remanded increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis. The issues will be reconsidered together.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected knee disabilities, bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, a back disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran also has pending claims seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, residuals of TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's symptoms were not found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 2013, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD. Effective September 13, 2013, the Veteran also had other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has denied service connection for gout, sleep apnea disorder, and flat feet. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if the current disabilities are related to service.

The Board dismissed the propriety of reducing the disability rating for service-connected lumbar spine disorder from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective June 15, 2016. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.,Tinnitus is remanded for a VA audiometric examination to determine its etiology.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for an updated VA examination and medical opinion considering the Veteran’s specific medical history.,Heart condition and high blood pressure are remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion addressing their relationship with service-connected conditions.,Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood remains at issue, requiring an updated VA psychiatric examination.,Right knee instability and degenerative changes with internal derangement remain at issue, requiring an updated VA examination.,Left thigh scar and right hand scarring are remanded for increased ratings based on the Veteran's current medical records.,TDIU is remanded due to the Veteran’s service-connected conditions impacting his employment.,Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for any lung disorder remains at issue.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss (preexisting).,Service connection is also granted for sinus disorder and GERD. Sleep apnea secondary to service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The issue of dental disability for compensation purposes is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that OSA began during service or was related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's disability ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were restored to their previous levels, while his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, but granted his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The decision is mixed since one issue was denied and another was granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea claim should be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for trouble sleeping (now obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia) is granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition was denied, but his claim for migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD) and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) were granted. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.,A remand is required to obtain medical opinions on the issues of service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD), migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD), and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD).