Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his service-connected lower back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been denied as the earliest date of claim is September 15, 2014.,The Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depression have both been granted. The evidence received since the last denial shows a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and new medical opinions linking depression to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2019 and denied for higher ratings prior to that date.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially granted a 20 percent rating effective January 1, 2019.,The Veteran is now entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if there is a nexus between his current condition and his active duty.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and lumbar strain disability are not service-connected, with the exception of a secondary relationship to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar strain from February 21, 2012 to August 9, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to chronic bronchitis. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for his service-connected disabilities is granted. The extension of a 100% evaluation beyond April 1, 2018 for total left knee arthroplasty is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned a 20 percent disability rating.,Service connection was also granted for angiosarcoma, but the appeal is remanded as additional evidence may be needed to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a detailed statement regarding his employment history.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined by a somnologist to determine if his obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia, finding that these conditions originated during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to assess whether the Veteran's OSA is at least as likely due to or aggravated by his service-connected decreased lung function, and to obtain a sleep study for this assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, sleep apnea, and tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The rating of 20% is assigned for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for new VA opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and arm disabilities. The claims for sleep apnea are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further review is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether his obstructive sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims of whether the AOJ applied the proper compensation rate to an award of a combined 60 percent disability rating and entitlement to service connection for sinus bradycardia with dizziness. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression. This includes obtaining relevant medical records from Social Security Administration and a private facility where the Veteran was incarcerated, as well as scheduling VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.