Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include vertigo, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, GERD, hypertension, neuralgia of upper extremities, prostatitis, sleep apnea disorder, and otitis externa.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and hypertension. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Veteran's motion for CUE review of a 1987 Board decision is dismissed as the motion has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The remaining issues of right foot plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, and hallux valgus are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The cases of bilateral ankle disabilities, heart disability, left testicular disability, and bilateral eye condition are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa has been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran is not entitled to service connection as his condition was hereditary in origin and did not manifest during or worsen during service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted at this time.

The Board has denied service connection for gout and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Veteran's spine disability was granted a 20% rating from August 14, 2017 to May 2, 2018. The condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

Service connection is denied for hearing loss, tinnitus, breathing issues, and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) due to insufficient medical evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining current treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and clarifying diagnoses.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his entitlement to a TDIU. The examinations will also determine if there is any new evidence warranting reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with other issues, including TDIU. The Veteran's depression is remanded for a new opinion on causation and aggravation. His cervical and lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA are also remanded for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity.

The claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding aggravation during active duty.

Service connection for OSA is denied. An increased rating of 10 percent for GERD with IBS is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. A compensable rating for left little finger fracture is denied. Prior to May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. Since May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. An increased rating of 20 percent for neurological manifestations of right lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for neurological manifestations of left lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA and an acquired mental disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbosacral spondylosis, and central serous retinopathy of the left eye have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate rating for laxity of the left knee has also been dismissed.