Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder. Service connection is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death from Parkinson's disease. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that any of his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were reopened. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, while service connection for both tinnitus and sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded three separate claims for additional development due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, right foot disorder, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran was scheduled to appear at a hearing but failed to show up without good cause.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with grade 1 spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches (secondary to sleep apnea), an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and anxiety) secondary to service-connected disabilities, a higher rating for sleep apnea, and a compensable rating for postoperative ventral hernia. The Veteran's claim for reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sacroiliac joint pain syndrome, right leg radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Folliculitis remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty or any period of ACDUTRA. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his OSA, and another addendum opinion from the January 2015 VA examiner is needed for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 23, 2018. The rating for his femoral radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not the cause of his current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,However, the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple areas, including heart disability as secondary to pre-pyloric ulcer with antrum scarring and hiatal hernia, liver disability with hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), sleep apnea, skin disability (Stevens Johnson syndrome), and right leg disability. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims or establishing service connection.

A 20 percent rating for traumatic osteoarthritis of left acromioclavicular joint is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her sleep apnea.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for OSA is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent and the reduction from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper.,An effective date prior to November 9, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been granted. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted after the last decision. The Veteran did not waive AOJ consideration of this evidence.

The Board has determined that VA medical opinions are necessary to address the potential relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his claimed vision disorders, sleep apnea, hypertension, and cerebral hemorrhagic stroke. The claims for secondary service connection will be remanded.