Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with spinal fusion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by active service. The claim for a rating of 20 percent for residuals of thoracic spine injury was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 20, 2016 and 70 percent thereafter is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran’s sleep apnea should be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected CAD or COPD, and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; low back disorder; sleep apnea; and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all denied.,Service connection for skeletal arthritis is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (left and right) and upper extremities (left and right) is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.,Service connection for bilateral kidney disability is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition (diabetic retinopathy) is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left thumb disability, knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mild obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service symptoms and treatment. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, sleep apnea, hypertension, endocrine disability, and psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left hand, right hand, left shoulder, and right shoulder conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these disabilities to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, hypertension, skin condition, headaches, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now pending with VA for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea need to be clarified, as there is conflicting evidence in the record. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and right Achilles tendon rupture due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection, exposure basis, and aggravation. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.

The Board has decided that the case should be remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and sleep apnea are granted. The claim for muscle & joint pain & bone mass loss is remanded due to inconsistent findings in the VA examination.

The Veteran's left thigh disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted and found to have begun during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.