Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for the sleep apnea claim and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's sinus disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The obstructive sleep apnea claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea. His skin disability ratings are denied, but he has a new rating of 20 percent for painful scars since May 5, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DM, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder), sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back pain) prior to April 28, 2014 is denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s symptoms warranted a higher rating before this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand for several issues, including right ear hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine L5-S1. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations for his right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's service connection and increased evaluation claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The right shoulder disorder and chronic inner ear infection are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not shown to be related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and the Board denies the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral hips and primary snoring (claimed as sleep apnea), and has also granted a rating in excess of 70 percent for his schizoaffective and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for stomach disability, erectile dysfunction disorder, venous insufficiency of the right leg and left leg, and sleep apnea secondary to service-connected PTSD have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD was granted. However, the appeal for a rating in excess of 70% for service-connected PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The issue of a higher rating for the deviated nasal septum was also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional verification of service records, particularly those related to Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The Veteran will be asked to provide medical records and a new opinion may be needed.