Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, rosacea, vertigo, skin cancer (lump removed from head and face), vitiligo, and an eye disorder have been previously denied. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee and lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active military service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need to consider potential service connection for any sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate he had difficulty sleeping in service and was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the TDIU determination, including needing clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to prevent him from gainful employment. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea and lung disorder are found to be related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, as his symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic nephropathy and other associated disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. Hepatitis C is shown to have developed as a result of exposure to blood during a rescue operation in active service and liver cancer is proximately due to the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion from a VA physician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU rating. However, his unemployability due to these conditions is considered on an extraschedular basis and referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining recent VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including consideration of lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service and a private opinion linking the condition to his service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for provision of VA examinations with medical opinions regarding a nexus to service. The case is now pending further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current health issues.