Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea developed during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection. The psychiatric disability rating prior to June 21, 2017 is denied and the rating of 50% thereafter is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and residuals of skin cancer due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from November 16, 2004 to September 1, 2009 is honorable. The Veteran’s claims for service connection are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his honorable service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, dermatological disorders, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Additional development is required as the previous opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, and atherosclerosis, are sufficient to produce unemployability prior to May 8, 2013. A TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his sleep apnea. He also meets criteria for a 70% disability rating for PTSD and TDIU due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's back brace did not cause wear and tear to his clothing, so he is denied an annual clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has also been denied.

The claims for service connection related to nasal disorder, sinusitis, broken nose residuals, and head injury have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has not been received that would support reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran also has an ongoing TDIU appeal.,Service connection was granted for chronic prostatitis with erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency effective May 28, 2010. Service connection for depression and sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right shoulder bursitis, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea, including both obstructive and central forms, should be remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of sleep apnea. The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the OSA was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% prior to October 30, 2013 and at 40% thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's back disability as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether OSA is related to service, or if it increased in severity during a period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in a need for aid and attendance from another person, as his physical conditions are the primary cause of his need for assistance.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.