Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for GERD and sleep apnea were reopened due to new evidence. His PTSD claim was denied, but he is not seeking a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, right knee condition, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury are all granted. The PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to October 2018 and 100 percent since then.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied, and the Board remanded it. The effective date of the 20% rating is October 22, 2015.,The Veteran's service connection for left wrist tendonitis and a genitourinary condition (claimed as urinary frequency) secondary to lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was remanded.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The appeal concerning service connection for headaches has been dismissed as moot because the benefit sought has already been granted.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD with depression, is remanded. The examiner should determine if it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or related to his active duty service and whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depression.,The Veteran’s claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression is remanded. The matter of TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues on appeal, including service connection claims and rating decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to June 7, 2018, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.,For the period beginning June 7, 2018, an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for a lower back disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be secondary to his service-connected asthma.

Service connection for broken feet, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension has been denied.,The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded as additional records are needed to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and non-allergic rhinitis due to conflicting medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus problems, left ear hearing loss disability, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to bipolar disorder), gout, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues include low back disability, bilateral radiculopathy, left hip disability, right hip disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD.,A disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with PTSD is granted, effective from December 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of lumbosacral strain and esophagitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right foot strain, and left foot strain due to a lack of evidence establishing these conditions during service or otherwise related to service-connected disability.,There is no credible evidence of record indicating any current disabilities in the Veteran's feet or ankles.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for fracture of the right medial malleolus is denied.

The Board has determined that an expert medical opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus caused or worsened his sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further examination and analysis.