Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection with effective dates of July 30, 2016, and September 25, 2013 respectively.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

Service connection was denied for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and effective dates prior to January 30, 2014 were denied for service-connected limitations of extension, abduction, and flexion of the left hip, as well as bipolar I disorder with moderate mania.,Entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected conditions was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), bilateral hearing loss, and epilepsy due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has determined that a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea secondary to major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for increased rating of lumbar disc degeneration and major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his request for a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee DJD, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to incomplete examinations in the prior remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and atrial flutter, finding insufficient evidence to determine their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event to link these conditions to service.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which rendered him unemployable prior to September 6, 2016. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from June 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to the service-connected PTSD, is remanded due to new evidence indicating a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lower back pain and bilateral foot conditions, have rendered him unemployable from August 12, 2016 to May 1, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating during this period.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and disc disease, status post-surgery. The appeal for a higher rating for the lumbosacral strain and disc disease remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, Crohn’s disease, and gallbladder removal due to lack of service treatment records and incomplete examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's neck disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and sleep apnea claims are all pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to symptoms first manifesting during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied service connection for common cold. The Veteran's right knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with history of right frontal headaches should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by the sinusitis.