Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has restored the prior 40 percent rating for chronic low back strain with DDD and DJD lumbosacral spine effective February 1, 2019. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.

Service connection for itchy skin has been withdrawn.,Service connection for sleep apnea, sinusitis, and a respiratory condition have been granted. Service connection for a stomach condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and a foot disability manifested by dropping arches for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed to determine if there is any link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the left knee, chronic sinus infection, and sleep apnea have been reopened. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for BPH with urethritis prior to February 19, 2014 is denied.,Service connection has been granted for DJD of the left knee, chronic sinus infection, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart pathology (sinus bradycardia) is granted based on new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee DJD are both denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee DJD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions on various conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence received.

Service connection granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, headaches, and sleep apnea.,PTSD rating denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied attorney fees as the Veteran did not file an NOD for the service connection claims in December 2016 and March 2017 rating decisions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to anxiety disorder), are remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions. Additionally, temporary total evaluations based on hospital treatment and convalescence are also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to higher ratings for sciatica and lumbosacral spondylolisthesis with IVDS, an increased rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome, a TDIU effective date earlier than August 25, 2011, service connection for tinnitus, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted, with the appeal being remanded to determine if it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer residuals. The claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (including peptic ulcers), sleep apnea, skin disability (to include chloracne), Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie's disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for new examinations. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, foot fungus condition, and erectile dysfunction are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of these conditions during the Veteran's active duty. The Veteran has provided lay statements but lacks credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,VA does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms began in or were related to his military service, while the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea is unclear.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, headaches, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran’s cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of incapacitating episodes.,The effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is granted as March 27, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address service connection claims, increased rating claims, and separate ratings for surgical scars. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, OSA, hammertoe disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar calluses are at issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with scheduled VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and COPD due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional private treatment records.