Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The appeal as to the claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for service-connected bilateral dry eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hiatal hernia with gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been dismissed.,The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain should be remanded due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the current condition is not related to active service or an in-service TBI.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have caused his obesity, which in turn could have led to his OSA. However, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if this causal relationship exists and whether it would not have occurred without the PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical and lumbosacral strains are inadequate, and additional examinations are needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to outstanding records and potential consideration of other applicable Codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, back, and neck disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and granted it. The other issues on appeal remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is linked to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, heart condition, respiratory condition, bronchitis, lower back condition, and sleep disorder due to lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's dates of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and left lower extremity neuropathy, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for a lumbosacral spine disability. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or additional loss of function due to pain.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's left and right wrist symptoms are attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against the Veteran’s claim for a separate diagnosis of a left and right wrist disorder other than fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected surgical scar associated with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it is not deep or cause limited motion in an area exceeding 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinions are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hallux valgus, arthritis of the feet bilaterally, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The claim for increased disability rating for calluses of the left toes was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, with degenerative changes.