Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board granted effective dates of July 16, 2008 for separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to an increase in the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension. Sleep apnea is related to Agent Orange exposure, while hypertension may be due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted based on new evidence submitted after the May 2008 denial.,Service connection for OSA and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from July 8, 2009 to March 26, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent as of March 27, 2012, for anxiety disorder NOS is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition.,Service connection for a heart condition is remanded due to its potential impact on the hypertension claim.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee disability. The claims for nose trauma residuals, PTSD with anxiety and depression, sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea), TBI, and headaches were all granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and evidence not being addressed in the previous decision. The Veteran's sleep apnea is now under review with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, sleep apnea (claimed as a breathing disorder), and psychiatric disorder due to new evidence and exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma, meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is granted for OSA secondary to PTSD and headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded for further development and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for laryngeal chondrosarcoma, scar as secondary to laryngectomy, and aphonia as secondary to residuals of surgery for laryngeal chondrosarcoma. The appeal is denied on the remaining issue of special monthly compensation based on aphonia.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability and sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea) have been reopened, but service connection is not granted due to lack of current disabilities. The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and an increased rating for plantar fasciitis quiescent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began during his active duty in Iraq and are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for retinitis pigmentosa should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his condition was incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion addressing the nature and origin of these conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to inadequate examination, and his claims for service connection for respiratory disability (secondary to PTSD) and for TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches. The Veteran's low back disorder, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for its decision, failure to comply with duty to assist by obtaining records relevant to the Veteran's service, and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical opinions on the etiology of sleep apnea and assessing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his condition.,The issue of service connection for peripheral radiculopathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination results.,An additional medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded because there is evidence suggesting a link to military service or a service-connected disability.,A VA examination in conjunction with this claim is needed due to the Veteran's cervical spine disability possibly having been caused by his active service.,The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for an additional VA examination and opinion regarding its etiology, given conflicting evidence from different medical professionals.,Service connection for high blood pressure is being remanded because it has not yet been adjudicated due to pending SSA benefits determination.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded as well.,Service connection for hypercholesterolemia is being remanded, with a request for additional evidence from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding disability benefits.