Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, ED, sleep apnea, and unspecified sleep disorders have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the required criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any of these conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD or any of the other conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The sleep apnea and skin disorder (including melanoma) claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent rating from October 28, 2014; and increased to a 70 percent rating prior to August 13, 2015. The VA has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the period prior to August 13, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, and hypertension may be related to his military service in Southwest Asia. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to support this determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's OSA and headache disability are being reviewed again, as well as his respiratory and GI disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and is now pending. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the July 2014 decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, thus granting the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD and OSA warrants a 100% rating, effective July 17, 2016. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to additional disabilities rated at 60% or higher.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for chronic pain syndrome, post concussive headache syndrome, and sleep apnea are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, bilateral shin splints, a right shoulder condition, a back condition, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and DDD, lumbosacral strain with DJD and DDD, left ankle sprain with ruptured Achilles tendon, allergic rhinitis, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, left upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), right upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine) have all been denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board found no causal relationship between his service-connected asthma and his current condition. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disease, cervical spine.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability were denied. The claim for a higher rating for the scar on his right side of the face with paresthesia was also denied.,Service connection for the cause of death due to bladder cancer resulting from diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional relevant evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain his complete service treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for his hearing loss, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a mental health condition.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea and periodic limb movement disorder due to VA medical care are being remanded as the Board finds that a medical opinion is necessary to determine if the additional disability was caused by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA medical opinion. The Veteran's current sleep apnea is being requested to be reviewed by a VA examiner.