Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cervical and lumbosacral spine issues are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot damaged nerve, low back pain, left knee condition, and sleep apnea must be remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in their current state. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of chronic back symptoms during or after service and concluding that any current condition is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD, stomach pain, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 11, 2009 for service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and costochondritis are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea disability is a result of his military service and granted his claim.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether the spine disability aggravated the sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are not fully addressed due to new evidence submitted after the July 11, 2019 decision. The issues of service connection for various conditions and an increased rating remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his period of service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest in service and is not related to military service or PTSD.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of March 1, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, right shoulder pain with arthritis, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and skin disorder are being remanded for further evaluation. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not reflect the full extent of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from May 12, 2017. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 20 percent rating as well.,For the period prior to December 21, 2016, the Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for his right forearm condition with painful motion and limitation of extension.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the condition had its onset during active service and is related to weight gain since separation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to treatment for a service-connected spine condition. The private physician's opinion supports this finding.