Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The cases of respiratory disability and sleep apnea are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected depressive disorder and/or medication, which aggravates the condition.

The Veteran's death at a private hospital is being reviewed for eligibility for VA burial benefits. The appellant contends that the Veteran was under VA-contracted care at the time of his death, but VA records are needed to confirm this. She must provide any additional medical records pertinent to her claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with anxiety and depression), sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, with the onset likely during active duty.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder secondary to right shoulder strain is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and increased rating for obsessive compulsive disorder with major depressive disorder and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding hypertension and sleep apnea. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected as a separate condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that no claim was filed prior to April 30, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service, including potential exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 29, 2011 for service connection of moderate chronic lumbosacral strain and bipolar disorder are denied. The cases have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist fracture residuals and service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain is denied. His claim for restoration of the 40 percent rating, effective May 1, 2015, is granted.

The Board has decided that the VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected conditions and if it was incurred in or related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and sleep apnea. The issues are being remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling additional examinations, and considering a TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle strain, sleep apnea, and insomnia. The claim for service connection of astigmatism is remanded as it was not addressed by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded several issues including the rating for PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain and chronic headaches. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated 70% disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 30 percent effective May 27, 2015 was properly calculated as he had four service-connected disabilities each rated at a 10 percent.