Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected lymphocytic colitis. His anxiety and depression are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, headaches, and colitis. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent effective August 8, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded due to outstanding treatment records and incomplete information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no link between current psychiatric disorder and service. Bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis or insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 29, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding various service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional records to be obtained. The claims are not related to a specific exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis due to a lack of medical examination or opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to his PTSD, and an expert opinion on the cause of his hepatitis will be sought.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be addressed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities have been granted, but the cases are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The VA examinations are inadequate for the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2007. The Veteran also has a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and TDIU beginning June 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and a need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The issues of rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding her ability to work prior to July 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), chronic lumbar strain, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,Service connection for sleep apnea was granted effective August 17, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), and dyslipidemia. The Board finds that these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified).,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The issue is remanded for further development.,The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and thus denies the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service, and he is now rated at the maximum disability rating for this condition.