Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for mixed headache disorder, sinusitis, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition are remanded due to issues with hearing scheduling and need for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as a left knee disorder. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,Additional evidence received since the February 1998 rating decision supports the Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disorders and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, due to inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to comply with January 2017 remand instructions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease due to inadequate evidence from a previous VA examination. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical evidence. The claims will be reviewed with additional information from the Veteran and further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's low back condition may be related to his MOS as a driver in service, while his sleep apnea is believed to have started during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, a respiratory disability, and sleep apnea due to lack of an opinion on the etiology of the sleep apnea and because there may be outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's chronic cough and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and dismissed the appeals regarding increased ratings for Thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 30, 2018 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for various knee and ankle conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The appellant's military duties are believed to have contributed to her current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the remaining claims due to lack of a final decision and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since October 29, 2018, but the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied. The decision also denies entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and PTSD were denied. The rating for lumbosacral spine strain remains at 20%, while the rating for PTSD is maintained at 70%. Both conditions are rated based on their direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for left arm injury, residuals of right hand fracture, degenerative arthritis of the left hand, TBI, type II diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), bilateral eye disability and cataracts, hypertension, left foot disability, right foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disability have all been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VR&E benefits as he is successfully pursuing a Juris Doctor degree and has transferable skills that make him suitable for employment.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The appeal to determine if the OSA is secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.