Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has allowed the Veteran's request to reopen his sleep apnea claim and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The left knee scars are rated at 10 percent, right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran was granted new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection of various conditions including PTSD, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, gastritis, GERD, and others.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and higher initial ratings for unspecified depressive disorder (previously characterized as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) has been dismissed due to the withdrawal request by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board has granted service connection for acne, including acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, nodulocystic acne, and residuals of chloracne. The Veteran's current skin disability is linked to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's emphysema and sleep apnea are not related to his active duty service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, and/or other chemicals and/or toxins. The claims for prostate cancer, respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, nerve condition, and headaches are being reviewed due to possible exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service or to a service-connected condition, specifically cervical disc herniation C3-C4 with cervical stenosis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his left knee meniscal degeneration, left foot sprain, and acquired psychological disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and heart disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is diagnosed with these conditions, but his service connection remains in dispute.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of a VA medical examination or expert opinion, and the need to issue an SOC for the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. High cholesterol is not a compensable disability for VA purposes. The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome, characterized by severe vertigo occurring more than once weekly, is granted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also being remanded as it is dependent on the outcome of his other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right upper extremity condition and low back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further development is needed as VA treatment records are missing.,VA has not provided an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s current right upper extremity conditions (other than carpal tunnel syndrome) are related to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left-ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while right-ear hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation of 70% for generalized anxiety disorder from August 12, 2013 to December 16, 2015 is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 70% for generalized anxiety disorder since December 16, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and asthma due to inadequate opinions based on lack of evidence supporting asbestos exposure. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for STD, prostate cancer, motion sickness/dizziness, and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and requires an addendum opinion from a medical examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to January 12, 2010 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him helpless enough to require regular aid and attendance.