Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, and he is granted an initial rating of 50 percent effective January 16, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for systemic sarcoidosis and OSA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of treatment. The primary issue was whether the Veteran had a current disability (sleep apnea) related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and degenerative arthritis is remanded. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathies of the lower extremities are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for a compensable evaluation from December 1, 2010 to September 13, 2013 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from September 13, 2013 for his left knee disability due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified joint pain, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and a 50% rating for pes planus is granted. A separate disability rating of 20% for left knee semilunar cartilage dislocation is also granted. The right and left shoulder disabilities and right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his active service and is granted as a result.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for COPD, atrial fibrillation (secondary to COPD and sleep apnea), and mild obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with myositis and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of her employment history.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability and denied the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The reopened claim will be further adjudicated.