Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted, and his PTSD rating is increased to 70%. The effective date of the PTSD grant is set at February 9, 2010. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a stomach disorder (hiatal hernia and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease) have been denied. The Board has found insufficient evidence to establish service connection on any basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, left and right elbow disabilities, left and right shoulder disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence of a current disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for GERD and service connection for sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating for GERD, as his symptoms did not warrant a 60% rating. For sleep apnea, the Board determined there was no causal relationship to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The VA will obtain updated medical records, including from Vet Centers and private providers, and schedule examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board has determined that a new VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, including his service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for facial acne, syringomas, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision also referred the issue of a compensable evaluation for a left thigh scar to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected nightmare disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease s/p arthroscopy and chondroplasty of lateral femoral condyle and partial lateral meniscectomy, and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to PTSD, need further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's asthma claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed for both asthma and obstructive sleep apnea claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss of the left ear, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete information.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hearing loss of the right ear are also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was diagnosed during service and is considered to have begun there. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of poor sleep were consistent with his deployment in Iraq, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether it had its onset during service and is related to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical condition, bilateral medial brachium condition, and upper extremity nerve disorders, as well as OSA are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dermatitis remain unresolved.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis and sleep apnea, but has remanded them for further development. The low back disability rating remains remanded.