Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's reactive airway disease and obstructive sleep apnea are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as their conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6602 or 6847.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, needs further review and a new opinion is required.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinus disability. The appeal regarding a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation, earlier effective date, and service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also dismissed. The appeal was remanded for examination on the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's right arm/hand disorder (claimed as right elbow cubital tunnel syndrome) is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service, including consideration of burn pit exposure.,The Veteran's voiding condition is remanded for a VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding its nature and etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected old granulomatous disease, inflammatory airway disease, and sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran also needs to provide information about any non-VA healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and sleep disturbance, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and it will be reviewed again by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disability, and sleep apnea due to procedural issues. The rating of lumbar spondylosis remains at 20 percent prior to January 18, 2018, and 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbosacral strain with DJD and bulging discs due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's COPD was granted service connection, but SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted. The other conditions were dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and effective dates. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings in March 2016.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are also granted as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, sinus disorder, and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 2, 2012 for the awards of service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are remanded.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.