Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's unspecified sinus disorder is granted as service connected. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim for secondary service connection to his sinus disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the neck, sleep disorder (including narcolepsy and sleep apnea), PTSD, neurodermatitis, and TDIU due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, headaches, and insomnia are granted service connection. The remaining conditions (tinea pedis, iron deficiency anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, memory loss after surgery during service, peripheral drusen, cataracts, and retina degeneration) have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not incurred in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and noted the lack of contemporaneous medical records.,For the left shoulder disability, initial evaluations were denied as the evidence did not show manifestations during active service or any subsequent period on appeal.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disability, sleep apnea, gout, hypertension, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his inability to demonstrate permanent and total disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his reported in-service injuries and self-medication.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee and/or foot disabilities. The rating for residuals of a fracture of the femur with DJD of the left knee is increased to 30 percent effective October 15, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, right hand disability, headaches, and sleep apnea. The right hand disability and headaches are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of use of insulin or hospitalizations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board remanded these issues as there are questions about their onset in service.,Service connection was established for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is not yet service connected.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, based on the evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not more than 60 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 27, 2018 for service connection of various conditions. The Veteran was previously denied service connection due to dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to new evidence received after the January 2017 denial.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) are rated at 40 percent from February 21, 2012 to October 14, 2019. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability effective February 21, 2012 and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beginning February 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria prior to May 30, 2018 is denied because he does not meet the statutory or factual requirements of being permanently confined to his home.