Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than the current levels.,PTSD was granted service connection in 2012, but an earlier effective date is denied due to lack of prior claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea/sleep disorder have been remanded.,His initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, as his hearing acuity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The appeals regarding the evaluation of PTSD and remand for additional examinations are noted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine the cause of his condition, considering service records and clinical indicators.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his mood disorder. His lightheadedness is not a separate diagnosis but rather a symptom of the medication he takes for his mood disorder. An initial 40 percent rating is granted for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The rating for back strain prior to December 14, 2010, was denied. A rating of 20 percent for back strain from December 14, 2010, was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for back strain after December 14, 2010, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with history of right sciatica was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2014. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anosmia/loss of smell, loss of taste, status post sinus surgery, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, pes planus (flat feet), or sleep apnea that is related to service.,The Veteran's flat feet were noted at entry into service and remained asymptomatic throughout his career. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims for lumbosacral strain, left hip trochanteric bursitis with limited and painful abduction prior to May 19, 2017, left hip trochanteric bursitis with limited flexion, a left calf condition, and a left thigh muscle condition have been dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected asthma, but more evidence is needed to determine this relationship.

Service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraine headaches is denied, with the reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent being improper and the 30 percent rating restored.,The effective date for service-connected lumbar spine disability remains October 16, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and a respiratory condition other than obstructive sleep apnea, as there are insufficient medical opinions in the record.

The Veteran's current 10 percent rating for hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including consideration of overlapping criteria with other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding new and material evidence. The claims for back disability and sleep apnea remain denied.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, esophageal disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in VA medical opinions and recent statements indicating an increase in severity of symptoms. The Veteran needs additional examinations for his sleep disorder, sinusitis, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The September 2018 private examiner provided a strong opinion that the sleep disorder is proximately due to his GERD.