Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD. The decision also notes that the Veteran is currently receiving a 70% rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's skin disability is reopened and service connection for GERD and sleep apnea, both secondary to PTSD, are granted.,PTSD results in significant impairment warranting a 70% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development on his other issues. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea but the Board finds that the existing medical opinion does not adequately address whether it was present in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of sleep apnea, as there are conflicting medical records and the Veteran's lay statements. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion considering lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, increased rating for nephropathy associated with DM II, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and effective date claims related to bilateral pes planus with foot strain and metatarsalgia, gastric ulcer rating, and tinea pedis. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and a VA examiner will be consulted to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded, and his TDIU claim remains denied as he is currently gainfully employed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea (related to service-connected deviated nasal septum and rhinitis), left hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are all granted. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum and rhinitis do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and DJD due to inadequate VA examinations. The increased rating claim for allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and nature of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is a condition that may have developed during service but requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine, Hypertension, and Hepatitis C claims has been granted. The service connection for these conditions is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea syndrome. The claims are being remanded to obtain a VA examination and supplemental opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The higher initial rating and TDIU claims related to PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and residuals of gunshot wound to the right leg.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spasm is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on evidence of worsening symptoms. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.