Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's increased rating for chronic right orchidalgia with ilioinguinal neuralgia and his service connection claim for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and major depressive disorder are both remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

Service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, cardiovascular (CV) disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbosacral strain, left rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, and left knee tendonitis. The case is now REMANDED to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected paresthesias/numbness of the right lower extremity. The case will be sent back for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether new evidence is sufficient to grant these claims. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and headaches, while his claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux (secondary to PTSD), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) are still pending.,The Veteran's low back condition claim remains denied as there is no new evidence provided that relates the current disability to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and sleep apnea were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence, and the medical evidence does not support a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep disorder is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and the claim for sleep apnea was granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2011 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support entitlement to a TDIU rating due to the cumulative functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and thus remands the case for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new medical opinion to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is related to service, specifically his exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion on this issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic right shoulder disorder and severe obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran lacks a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and there is no nexus between the Veteran’s claimed sleep apnea and his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine, mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, left foot disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right leg disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including right foot disability, cluster headaches, and bilateral hearing loss, were also denied.