Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and major depressive disorder (MDD), but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and anxiety disorder are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's OSA, depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and right ankle DJD are all granted service connection. The rating for chronic low back pain is increased to 40 percent.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 1, 1997 for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 1, 1997.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, CFS, migraines, sleep apnea, and low back disability are all granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted but with a remand for an initial rating determination.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it was inferred from his allegations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and hypersomnolence, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, sleep apnea, and hiatal hernia with GERD and esophagitis.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea disability is not service connected as there is no medical evidence showing it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims, as there are limited VA treatment records from the relevant time period. The Veteran's disabilities have been treated at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center since 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and knee conditions, as well as his TDIU claim. The examination should consider functional loss during flare-ups.

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support its grant.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis C is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had these conditions, and his current symptoms were not severe enough to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and depressive disorder was granted. The claim for right ankle strain associated with pes planus is being remanded.

The Board has denied all service connection claims and increased rating claims for various conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sliding hiatal hernia with associated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with noncardiac chest pain.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral flat feet, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and sleep apnea, finding no new and material evidence. The claims were not reopened.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and hyperreflexia of the right leg, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected asthma.