Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and respiratory disability. The claims are currently in a state where further evidence is needed.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated at 60 percent, effective April 25, 2019. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for lower back disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, varicocele, sleep apnea, urethritis, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to service connected disabilities) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and musculoskeletal conditions, are alleged to have caused his obesity and subsequently led to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's asthma is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine if sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma-and-stressor related disorders. The decision also grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but remands these issues due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran is seeking annual VA clothing allowances for low back and right knee braces due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the low back brace allowance but remanded the right knee brace issue due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and reopening of his claims for low back disability, bronchitis, and obesity. The other conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal or denial.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed during service and is considered to have begun there. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or status post left tibia stress fracture disabilities caused her obesity, which in turn caused her Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as he withdrew his claim. The Board also remanded the issues of initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive symptoms and service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. Service connection for OSA, as secondary to his service-connected cardiomyopathy, is granted.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg numbness, OSA as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, cardiovascular disability (including atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease) and skin cancer all as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The effective date of the rating for these conditions is March 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine DDD and IVDS, left ankle OA, and OSA as secondary to cervical spine DDD and IVDS have been granted.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for weight gain and obstructive sleep apnea are denied, but a higher initial rating of 30 percent for hyperhidrosis is granted with an effective date prior to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and tension headaches have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding service connection for loss of teeth numbers 8 and 9.,PTSD has been remanded due to issues related to effective date and TDIU.