Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma-and-stressor related disorders. The decision also grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but remands these issues due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran is seeking annual VA clothing allowances for low back and right knee braces due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the low back brace allowance but remanded the right knee brace issue due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and reopening of his claims for low back disability, bronchitis, and obesity. The other conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal or denial.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed during service and is considered to have begun there. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or status post left tibia stress fracture disabilities caused her obesity, which in turn caused her Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as he withdrew his claim. The Board also remanded the issues of initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive symptoms and service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. Service connection for OSA, as secondary to his service-connected cardiomyopathy, is granted.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg numbness, OSA as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, cardiovascular disability (including atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease) and skin cancer all as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The effective date of the rating for these conditions is March 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine DDD and IVDS, left ankle OA, and OSA as secondary to cervical spine DDD and IVDS have been granted.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for weight gain and obstructive sleep apnea are denied, but a higher initial rating of 30 percent for hyperhidrosis is granted with an effective date prior to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and tension headaches have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding service connection for loss of teeth numbers 8 and 9.,PTSD has been remanded due to issues related to effective date and TDIU.

The Veteran's dental and lumbosacral disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, PTSD, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for PTSD is also being reopened.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, irritable colon syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis of the left hand, and amputation of the distal tip of the left thumb have been denied. Additionally, his claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, cervical spine disability, headache disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have also been denied.