Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease. The Board has dismissed the issue of a temporary total rating, but has remanded the case to assess the severity of the service-connected conditions.

Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to the lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and residuals of brain tumor with craniotomy are granted as service-connected.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board has also remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records of evaluations and treatment for OSA since service and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right hip condition and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is not enough evidence to show a link between his OSA and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied an effective date prior to July 27, 2017 for diabetes. The Veteran's current rating for diabetes remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the two conditions.

Service connection for cold weather injury residuals of hand and feet is denied. Service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc and joint disease is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective February 10, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted with effective dates of March 18, 2013.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy, RLE are rated at 40 percent. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy, LLE from September 21, 2017.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for retrospective findings regarding the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and is now pending. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but remands the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether he has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea that is related to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, service connection for sleep apnea, heart disease, and hypertension due to lack of development. The Veteran's right wrist condition is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claims for lower back, left eye, and bilateral hand conditions due to new evidence. The right eye condition, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and headache condition are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of complaints or symptoms related to sleep apnea during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of complaints or symptoms related to GERD during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 7, 2013 for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent from March 7, 2013 for LLE radiculopathy is also remanded with an additional request for extraschedular consideration.