Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an obstructive sleep apnea disability, finding that it did not have its onset during active service and was not causally related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted at 70 percent effective from May 22, 2018. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the criteria for a higher rating were met prior to this date.,A TDIU based on ischemic heart disease and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the propriety of reducing the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 60 to 20 percent effective November 1, 2012 is in dispute. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea are both remanded.

The Board has decided that service connection for diabetes is granted, but the cases of sleep apnea and left hip strain are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to in-service manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, vestibular and dizziness condition (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), sleep apnea, and blurry vision are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Specifically, a new examination is required for each of these conditions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was initially diagnosed during active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted as new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded for separate evaluation, as the two conditions affect different areas of the body. Additionally, TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating reduction issue.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder. The claims for sleep apnea and reduction of left knee disability rating are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including an examination and medical opinion regarding whether obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder, finding that the evidence supports a causal link between the two conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, malaria, and hearing loss. The Board found that he required assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral strain, and conjunctivitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to October 2, 2018, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma from October 2, 2018, and thereafter. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20% rating from March 28, 2002, to October 14, 2014. A higher rating for the right ankle disability is denied after October 15, 2014. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and right shoulder arthritis are granted. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.