Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for multiple conditions including multiple sclerosis with rosacea, pain, weakness in all joints, optic neuritis, depression with anxiety, chronic fatigue, chronic migraines, and insomnia. Service connection was also established for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knee (claimed as right and left knee surgery with chronic pain), intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back pain), and hirsutism with fibroids and ovarian cysts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome was withdrawn. The claim of service connection for heat urticaria remains denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen it.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea to his service or to his service-connected asbestosis, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence submitted since the last rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, Sleep Apnea, or Headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability has been manifested by pain with limited motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were granted, with a rating of 20 percent assigned for his left lower extremity radiculopathy since March 19, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a thyroid disorder. The issue of sleep apnea secondary to Grave's Disease is also inextricably intertwined with this reopening issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and low back disorder were denied. The claim for a higher rating for depressive disorder was granted, with the Veteran receiving a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and left hip disability are not found to be related to her service-connected lumbar strain. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's sleep apnea during or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a travel board hearing and to address the hypertension claim, as it may affect the adjudication of this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected condition for which he is seeking benefits, except for sleep apnea. The other conditions listed in his claims are either already service-connected or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities, chronic sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine due to a lack of timely Substantive Appeal. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support the grant of service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU rating prior to January 11, 2012 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 22, 1994, for the award of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's increased rating claim for asthma with bronchitis and sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder effective December 9, 2015 and remanded the claims of service connection for arterial hypertension and TDIU.