Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The effective date for service connection of PTSD prior to November 19, 2013, is denied.,Service connection is granted for basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, a skin rash, hypertension, right lower extremity numbness, tingling, and loss of feeling, left lower extremity numbness, tingling, and loss of feeling, restless leg syndrome of the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but the rating has not yet been assigned. The TDIU claim is remanded as it requires a determination of the current disability ratings.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has not resulted in the required range of motion for a higher rating, and therefore his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination findings and inextricably intertwined with the rating of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including costochondritis, degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, COPD, sleep apnea, and gout. The issues are all denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective August 22, 2018. The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis was granted with an effective date of March 18, 1988. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and the issue is currently pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA and remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The claims of entitlement to service connection for chest pains and a rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma disability are also pending with the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA treatment records and a June 2019 VA mental disorders examination. The issues include various disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is timely and has remanded his claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a need for additional medical opinion.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied for low back disability, asthma (claimed as dyspnea), sleep apnea, and hypertension.,The Veteran's current asthma was not manifest in active service or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition in January 2012, finding no current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim was reopened and granted due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to cooperate with VA examinations and provide pertinent records. The claims include PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disability (bronchitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her claims of service connection for headaches, sleep apnea syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,The Board also denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected COPD. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service or caused by his COPD.

The Veteran's low back disability, intervertebral disc syndrome and herniated disc, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to service. The bipolar disorder is also considered a progression of the previously diagnosed depression.,A rating higher than 70 percent for bipolar disorder (previously characterized as depression) is remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, a heart condition (claimed as coronary artery disease), and gout due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete opinions regarding exposure to toxic chemicals at George AFB and their relation to the Veteran's dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, as all claims have been granted in prior rating decisions. The appeal for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus is upheld.