Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the lumbar spine disability issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to attend VA examinations for these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence received since the November 2002 rating decision. However, the claim is remanded as further development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The appellant's OSA was also found to be secondary to his service-connected jaw disability.,A rating greater than 30 percent prior to May 3, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for residuals of surgery for maloccluded jaws is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability. A new VA examination is needed to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are granted with a 20% rating each. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea is denied.

An effective date of March 16, 2009, for the grant of service connection for sinusitis is granted.,An effective date prior to April 22, 2013, for the grant of service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), and sleep apnea due to conflicting medical findings and lack of examinations. The effective date claim is denied as no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and entitlement to a TDIU rating, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a skin condition and sleep apnea due to insufficient development. The Veteran's skin condition claim is denied as there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis (rosacea) to his active duty service. For sleep apnea, additional medical opinions are needed to address whether it began in or is related to his military service and if it is proximately due to or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea have been granted service connection, with a 10% rating for hypertension.

The Board has remanded several claims, including the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and his service connection claims for low back disability, sleep apnea disability, and bilateral foot fungus disability. The AOJ must schedule new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran suffered a cerebrovascular accident or other neurologic disorder, and if so, whether it is related to his service-connected recurrent atrial fibrillation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether lumbosacral strain is secondary to service-connected right-fibula closed fracture and/or pes planus. The Veteran's representative raised the issue of possible secondary causation from these conditions, necessitating a new VA examination.