Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy had its onset as early as August 22, 2012 and granted an effective date of August 22, 2012. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain from 10% to 20%, effective February 1, 2013. The reduction was improper due to lack of improvement in the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a rating for thoracic back strain and TDIU. The Veteran's claim of increased rating for thoracic back strain remains pending, but his request to withdraw his appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and a medical examination.

The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease and hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The appeal is denied as the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were not timely filed, and the issues are dismissed or denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically related to flare-ups and range of motion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran are inadequate and remands several issues for further development, including a new examination for hypothyroidism and cardiac arrhythmia. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, hypoglycemic seizures, lumbar strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, mitral valve prolapse, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current OSA diagnosis, but acknowledges the Veteran's in-service surgery and his wife's testimony about ongoing symptoms. The case is sent back for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to service.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection as secondary to his PTSD.,His right and left ankle disabilities were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of September 23, 2016. The decision is based on new and material evidence submitted after a previous final denial.

The claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation and degenerative arthritis, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and gastroesophageal disorder for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused by or related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service or aggravated by PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, COPD, rosacea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis have been dismissed. The claim to reopen service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,PTSD was granted at a 70 percent rating from November 3, 2011 through April 14, 2014. A remand is required to determine if the Veteran should receive a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD from April 15, 2014 to October 30, 2016.,A remand is also required to address whether the Veteran should be granted a TDIU prior to March 4, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding his respiratory, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus conditions. The claims are being reviewed in light of new evidence or further examination.