Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected impetigo was denied a compensable rating.,Service connection for multiple joint arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and fatigue were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic skin rash is dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,The claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.,,,

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it did not have its onset during or within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his post-concussion syndrome and sleep apnea, as well as service connection claims.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20% and 40%, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect his symptoms as described in the rating criteria.

The Veteran's COPD compensable rating claim is withdrawn.,The effective date for TDIU prior to January 27, 2016 is denied.,A staged disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 1, 2016 is granted and a staged rating in excess of 70 percent after February 17, 2016 is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability, and diabetes are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's deviated nasal septum with residuals and denied service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depression combined with the back disabilities as well as depression and back disabilities combined with the sleep apnea) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, effective February 22, 2018.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination results and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea should be remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left hip disability, which is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, has been granted. Additionally, the Veteran was awarded TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities since November 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertension have been reopened, and they are now granted.,PTSD remains at a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded as there are outstanding medical records that need to be reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea disability is being remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine if it has materially improved since the November 2013 VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including OSA and hypertension secondary to PTSD. The examination reports are inadequate due to lack of consideration of aggravation and exposure to burn pits. Additional records are needed for mental health treatment and a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and requires an addendum to address the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including its onset during service or as a result of his service-connected knee and left shoulder disabilities.