Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder due to military sexual trauma is granted a 70% rating from November 1, 2015, to prior to January 4, 2017. A higher rating is denied for the period of January 4, 2017, to prior to March 21, 2018, and from June 1, 2018, onwards.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, granting service connection as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for ulcerative colitis was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea, back disability, arthritis, and gout are remanded for further review.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective prior to February 27, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, arteriosclerotic heart disease with premature atrial contractions and intermittent paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and hypertension do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to address functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and paralysis of the sciatic nerve, finding no credible evidence that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints, as well as his sleep apnea, were granted service connection. The Veteran's claimed left leg numbness was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, as well as his requests for increased ratings and a TDIU based on his service-connected shoulder conditions and migraines. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s current sleep apnea to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD/hiatal hernia, IBS/diverticulosis, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's attorney submitted medical literature that needs to be considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had onset during service based on lay testimony. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea began during service and was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or sinusitis.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is remanded. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded due to lack of opinion in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for muscle cramps, pseudofolliculitis, and anxiety are denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right shoulder and back conditions are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's OSA is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,PFB is granted as the Veteran has a current diagnosis and credible statements supporting its onset during basic training.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an alcohol abuse disorder and has denied service connection for this condition. The issues of OSA, headache condition, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.