Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent mixed headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The low back disability, left eye disability, right knee disability, and hypothyroidism do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection is remanded for claims related to a right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), neck disorder, right shoulder disorder (secondary to recurrent mixed headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 24, 2012. He also received a TDIU and service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as allergic rhinitis, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain as additional evidence is needed to assess their severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder impingement, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability are still pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder (secondary to right ankle injury).

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for sleep apnea, and a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's eye disabilities. These cases require further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of medical opinion on whether it was incurred during ACDUTRA or secondary to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart murmur and remanded it for further examination. The appeal for service connection of OSA is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions, and whether it is caused by medications used to treat other conditions.

The Board dismissed all issues due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection as it is considered to have started during his military service and there is no evidence that the condition began after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymia has been reopened and granted. The appeals for the other conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records from July 2009 to September 2010 and an addendum opinion regarding whether the preexisting condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease/arthritis, major depression, lumbar radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis (left foot), and right shoulder osteoarthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his right and left knee sprains are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.