Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, specifically depression and muscle relaxers for Depuytren's contracture.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. However, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative changes. He is also awarded a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine degenerative changes.

The Veteran's hyposmia is granted with a compensable rating. The claims for sleep apnea, loss of sense of taste, and migraines are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal for issues related to TDIU, right shoulder limitation of motion, frequent dislocations, lumbosacral spine disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as consideration of whether there are any flare-ups or functional limitations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus and other disabilities.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which may be related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to now service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's back disability is granted, but the issues of service connection for head injuries, left radius fracture, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for right and left sciatica (previously claimed as lumbar radiculopathy).,Severance of service connection was improper in both cases.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities. The appeal for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 4, 2009. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's disability evaluations were reviewed, and the reduction in lumbosacral strain evaluation was found to be improper. The cervical strain and knee extension evaluations are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be related to his service-connected stress fractures of the bilateral lower extremities and/or major depressive disorder, but more evidence is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted effective March 11, 2014.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for hypertension is also granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology, secondary nature, and aggravation of the condition.