Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (to include sleep apnea) is rated at a 30 percent disability from October 17, 2006 to May 19, 2009 and at a 60 percent disability from May 19, 2009 to July 16, 2013. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is not rated higher than 60 percent since July 16, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to his military service. Additional records and an opinion are needed.

The appeal to reopen service connection for PTSD was granted, along with other claims related to various disabilities. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence showing a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected removal of right lung due to lung cancer, finding that there was no causal relationship between the two.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine strain and adjustment disorder with anxiety. These issues are being remanded due to a lack of recent medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the cervical spine and Sleep Apnea, as secondary to service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The right ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service, while the left ear hearing loss disability is currently manifested.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, a right foot disability, a left foot disability, a left eye disability, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint disease with scoliosis and radiculopathy of the bilateral sciatic nerves.,Effective dates earlier than October 3, 2013, are granted for the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease with scoliosis and IVDS, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea need further clarification due to conflicting findings from previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and a lung condition were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea was also denied as there is no evidence showing they are related to service.,The Veteran's lung condition (asthma) may be connected to cold exposure during a trip to Alaska in 1971. However, the VA examiner found that his current asthma did not stem from this incident and was more likely due to other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his service-connected cervical spine disability caused his obesity, which in turn caused his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions: rating for obstructive sleep apnea, initial rating for depressive disorder, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The remand is due to VA not obtaining medical records from the Mason City Police Department regarding the Veteran's arrests in 2007 and 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and tremors secondary to service-connected conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70% after October 25, 2016. She also received a TDIU effective from August 1, 2009.

The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to August 22, 2017 and denied a higher rating. From August 22, 2017 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 70%. The TDIU claim from September 9, 2015 has been granted.,The right thigh liposarcoma was originally rated as 100% disabling effective September 15, 2008. In January 2014, the rating for this condition was reduced to 30%, effective April 1, 2014.