Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are currently rated at 60 percent from October 28, 2019. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or limitation of motion to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain and a right hip condition, as well as her claim for TDIU. The RO must obtain medical records from JNH, provide an application for TDIU to the Veteran, and request addendums from the VA examiner who conducted the thoracolumbar spine and hip/thigh examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot osteoarthritis, as well as his claims for service connection for asthma, chronic lung problems, COPD, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The validity of the Veteran’s combined evaluation has also been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its September 2016 remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further development and opinion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for the right foot disability is denied.,An earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for the right foot disability is denied.,Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018, for noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, chest pain, and ganglion cyst of the left wrist are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has again remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 and 20 percent for his lumbar strain with degenerative changes due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD and orthopedic conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but the increased rating claim for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and is now remanding the case for readjudication, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from VA examinations regarding the onset of sleep apnea during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 30, 2010 due to inadequate expert medical opinion and inextricably intertwined with the other claim.

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

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,A rating in excess of 70 percent prior to April 16, 2019 for PTSD with alcohol use disorder has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and Obstructive Sleep Apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Left Wrist Disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, particularly from a private sleep study conducted in November 2011, and obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his left wrist disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no etiological relationship between his current sleep apnea and his service-connected lung disease. The evidence did not support a direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran is seeking service connection on a direct basis, without any presumption or secondary theory.