Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, associated with right hip impairment post stress fracture femoral neck, is not rated higher than 20 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to April 29, 2015 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from March 19, 2015 to April 16, 2018 is denied. Service connection for a right foot disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The TDIU claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, particularly sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as the severity of his back disability with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process. The issues of hypertension, left ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorders need further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or worsened by his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it began during or was related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue and will need to schedule an examination for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which they believe may be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, including medications used for PTSD and associated insomnia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and new evidence added since the last SSOC. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-8940, and provide IRS tax returns.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current levels of hearing impairment do not warrant a higher evaluation.,Service connection for sleep apnea, which the Veteran claimed was secondary to PTSD, was also denied. The Board found no evidence that PTSD caused or aggravated sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA addendum medical opinion to determine if sleep apnea is aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The other issues of erectile dysfunction and heat stroke residuals remain denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The case for service connection of the Veteran's sleep apnea secondary to GERD (previously characterized as residuals of duodenitis) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a final Board decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.