Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and lumbar spondylolysis, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective May 13, 2011, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during or caused by his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a right eye disorder was denied. The claim for service connection for asthma was reopened and granted. The case is remanded for further action regarding sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and the Board finds that it is unrelated to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his spine disability and right foot disability are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not proximately due to, or aggravated beyond its natural progression by, his service-connected COPD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, leaving only the issues of chronic allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, hypogonadism (claimed as low testosterone), type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The issues of service connection for a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The appeal to reopen the claim is granted, but the issue of entitlement to service connection remains remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly sinusitis. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding private treatment records from Drs. R.M., MD, D.M.C., MD, and Vanderbilt Medical Center.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis for residuals of a head injury, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, or acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 40 percent from December 12, 2018. Prior to April 8, 2013, he was rated at 10 percent.,From April 8, 2013, his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right foot disabilities, hypertension, scars of the forehead and right wrist, chronic headaches, and sleep apnea. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 14, 2016 for the grant of service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further exposure assessments. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, and the ratings for TBI, tension headaches, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are all denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral tinnitus, and migraines are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain an addendum opinion addressing his service connection claims, specifically regarding OSA, bilateral knee disorders, and a skin disorder. The claims are currently pending.