Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbosacral strain have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for an award of a TDIU are met, but has also remanded his claims for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and sleep disorder to include sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle disorder and lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. The right hip disorder and TDIU issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for GERD due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease, spinal spondylitis, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for scar, status post right inguinal hernia surgery prior to January 23, 2017, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals of right knee and right shoulder disorders, granted service connection for IBS, and remanded other issues due to lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected.,An increased initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and that any symptoms are related to his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of direct service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as there was no in-service diagnosis or event linked to his current condition. For PTSD, the Board noted that while the Veteran had occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as chronic mood disturbances and sleep impairment, these were not sufficient to meet the criteria for a 70% rating under DC 9411.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and development due to the close proximity of his separation date and initial diagnosis.

The Board dismissed the appeal of five separate issues related to service connection for various conditions, as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The facial pain claim was denied.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no further action will be taken on these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current condition and active service. The Board finds new and material evidence to support this claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD with emphysema and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. However, the Veteran's hip condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not met the criteria for service connection.