Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headache disability has been reopened. A rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is granted for the cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient and requires further clarification regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, as well as whether it was aggravated by his mental health condition. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion from another examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder, but denied sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain private treatment records related to IBS.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, but his obstructive sleep apnea is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting service records and a need for further verification of the Veteran's active duty service from 2009 to 2013. The claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, and other conditions are either denied or remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The Veteran's claims for initial noncompensable rating for scar of the right flank and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to his service or if it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome was diagnosed during active service and the Board finds that it began then. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain), and sleep apnea are all granted due to their being related to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as only a single 10 percent rating can be assigned for recurrent tinnitus.,The claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and abnormal involuntary movements are all remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the absence of any compensable degree of degenerative disc disease within one year of service separation.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no in-service incident and no evidence of chronicity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of VA examination findings and consideration of functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran is also required to provide additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication, as requested in a previous February 26, 2018 Board Remand. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate condition was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted based on a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability that is presumed to be related to his military service due to Vietnam-era service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted as there is evidence suggesting the condition began in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and the need for medical opinions.