Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the evidence shows he developed this condition during his last period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence without a waiver, and because a decision on one claim could significantly impact the other.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, audiometry test results, and a sleep study evaluation. The Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his period of active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a skin disorder, androgenic alopecia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability (secondary to service-connected right foot disability), hepatitis C in remission, sleep apnea, and neurocognitive disorder. However, the Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to his testimony of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD was rated at 40% effective May 10, 2017. The increased rating for sciatica of the LLE and RLE from November 3, 2014 onwards is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 10, 2017 was denied as his forward flexion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left hip disorder, lower back disorder, hearing loss, and COPD due to potential service connection issues. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant private treatment records and schedule examinations to further investigate these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea disability due to insufficient rationale in the September 2017 medical opinion and lack of diagnosed sleep apnea disability in service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for higher initial disability ratings in all three cases, and the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and verification of exposure. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it had its onset during service and is related to his in-service trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, vision disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and right hip disability are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee and right ankle disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and right shoulder injury, status post rotator cuff repair due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's OSA appeal is granted. Service connection for a low sperm count and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to the grant of service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and sleep apnea has been granted. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim of service connection for kidney stones. An effective date of April 21, 2017, is assigned for a 30% rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome, which was increased from 20%. The Veteran's right shoulder disability now warrants a 40% rating due to additional limitation during flare-ups.