Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection of heart disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The claim has been reopened, but the service connection for a back condition and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) is still pending as new evidence was submitted. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete medical records, lack of a full rationale in the previous VA examination, and new arguments regarding his left ankle disorder. The issues include psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral spine disorders, left knee disorders, left ankle disorders, right knee disorders, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine with stenosis and right myelopathy, and major depressive disorder (MDD) are being remanded due to incomplete procedures. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's depression is granted as service connected. The cases of right knee disability, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause or aggravation of his obstructive sleep apnea, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for reactive arthritis, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new VA examinations to determine whether his conditions had their onset in service or are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in service and is considered to have had its onset during active duty. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, hypertension, GERD, and a skin condition are granted. The effective dates for these grants are September 30, 2013. A TDIU is granted from April 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, right and left ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus type II. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records, completing a VA Form 21-4142, and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted, and he has been assigned various disability ratings for his related conditions. The current appeal pertains to the rating of his right upper extremity disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the case to obtain updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and a medical opinion regarding the diagnosis and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for gout but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's representative is advised to respond to the remand and provide any additional evidence or arguments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increase in rating.,TIAs are rated at 10 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa has no compensable rating as it does not affect more than 5% of the body or exposed areas.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical examination, and a clarifying opinion is needed regarding in-service manifestations of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere’s syndrome is granted. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected PTSD, is granted. The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for residuals of TBI apart from PTSD is remanded.