Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since September 2014. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran's OSA with bronchitis was initially rated at 50 percent effective November 24, 2015. The RO denied a higher rating in excess of 50 percent.,Prior to November 24, 2015, the Veteran's bronchitis was rated as noncompensable (zero percent). The RO denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. Another remand is required.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 2, 2019 and over 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion on direct and secondary service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, spondylosis, and right knee disability are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected asthma, PTSD, and/or allergic rhinitis. A new examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, increased ratings for lumbosacral disc disease and left knee disabilities due to new evidence and development of records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to address his claim for a higher rating.,The Veteran contends he should have an effective date earlier than September 1, 2014, for dependency benefits. The RO found no evidence of such within one year of notification of the rating action.

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

The Veteran's claims for left hand disability, right knee disability status post arthroscopic meniscus tear with degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial rating decision. The Veteran must be provided a new rating decision addressing these claims on their merits, and he needs to undergo a VA examination for his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated septum. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and ratings for right hip and knee disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain, lumbar spine with degenerative changes, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Other claims have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The back disability and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea was caused by service or any service-connected 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 active service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was granted effective February 3, 2010.,Claims for increased ratings for DDD and DJD of the lumbosacral spine, right lower extremity compression neuropathy, and left lower extremity compression neuropathy were denied as it is not factually ascertainable that these conditions increased in severity within a year of April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to service and has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder, upper extremity neuropathy, foot disorder (right foot and right ankle disorders), right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep disturbances), and migraine disorder are remanded.