Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for visual impairment, fatigue, and a respiratory disability. The decision also includes reductions in ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of hypertension has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of sleep apnea, hypertension, liver disease, and colon disability for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those pertaining to his back condition, eye condition, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and migraines. The remaining conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's back disability to include, back strain and spinal stenosis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are found to be due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and IVDS lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for Section 1151 compensation for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that VA care caused his diabetes. The Board also found no basis to grant extraschedular ratings for lumbosacral spine DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided that the effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are December 18, 2013. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back injury have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left knee, sleep apnea, and left and right foot conditions are all found to be related to his active service.,A separate rating for instability of the right knee is granted prior to October 26, 2017.

The Board previously denied service connection for sleep apnea, but the Court ordered a remand due to an inadequate January 2017 VA examination. The new examination must address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected GERD and/or esophageal cancer.

Obstructive sleep apnea has been granted as service connected.,type 2 diabetes mellitus and psoriasis of the elbows and hands have both been reopened and granted as service connected.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no indication of any in-service event, disease, or injury related to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further development regarding his service connection claims and rating issues. The Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all granted. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his periods of active duty service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his sleep disorder is related to his military service.