Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, PTSD with depressive disorder, left ankle degenerative changes, right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, and tinea and lymphocytic leukemia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, as the evidence shows a current disability and a link to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of sleep apnea. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating prior to December 5, 2016. The Board denied his claim as he did not have at least one disability rated at 40 percent with a combined evaluation of 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a supplemental VA opinion regarding his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine intervertebral degenerative disease is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need to verify his periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date are remanded due to the need for additional information and medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest possible evaluation (100%) on and after November 26, 2014. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral leg disability, vision disability (other than related to a bilateral pinguecula), breathing disability, sleep apnea, prostate disability, colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown during active duty service and is not otherwise related to active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder (to include GERD, acid reflux, ulcers, and benign neoplasms), and erectile dysfunction have not been found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted but the rating assigned is 30 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder and sleep apnea should be remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

An effective date earlier than April 6, 2015 for the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder is denied.,A rating more than 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder from April 6, 2015 and continuing thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service. The issues include cervical spine, lumbar spine, throat condition (GERD), sleep apnea, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service or was caused by an in-service event, injury, or illness.