Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for multiple joint pain, obstructive sleep apnea, chest pain, chronic skin infections, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and manic depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is currently diagnosed. The decision will be reconsidered after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left knee disability, right leg disability, sleep apnea, and IBS. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been granted service connection, but the RO assigned initial 10 percent evaluations. The Veteran disagrees with these ratings and has requested higher ratings. The Board finds that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his cervical and lumbosacral spine conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to withdrawal, and the case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, sleep apnea, cervical spine degenerative changes, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and hernia have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to increased ratings for his cervical spine degenerative changes, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's skin condition, seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea, was rated at 30 percent due to the coverage of less than 40% of her entire body or exposed areas without requiring constant systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disability is related to nasal trauma sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. Right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, but the case for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis. Sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for granuloma (also claimed as sarcoidosis and skin condition).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for granuloma (also claimed as sarcoidosis and skin condition) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and remands for further development on other issues including sleep apnea, tension headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent, effective June 27, 2018.,Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 30 percent rating from August 11, 2017 through June 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural confusion and the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied, and the case is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for status post laminectomy, lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with status post laminectomy, lumbosacral spine are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service and denied the claim. The appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a private sleep study from Wesley Medical Center.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened. However, additional evidence from a lay witness and post-deployment assessments indicate the need for an updated VA examination and medical nexus opinion addressing these factors.