Sleep apnea decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been denied. The evidence received since previous decisions does not provide a basis to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyarteritis nodosa, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, but the Board has ordered a remand to determine if her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and vernal conjunctivitis have aggravated her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his hypertension claim was not adjudicated as it is not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for hypertension and heart disorder, but denied the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and arthritis are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the submission of new VA treatment records and a request for updated records from the Leavenworth VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and reopening the claim for erectile dysfunction will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for further medical opinions regarding service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Board finds that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, and the effective date of TDIU remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease with atrial fibrillation, is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from the Washington, D.C. VAMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea can be reasonably linked to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claim, including a VA examination and VCAA notice regarding service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder, but denied the underlying claim as there is no medical evidence linking his current sleep apnea to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it related to his service-connected coronary artery disease with residuals of myocardial infarction, Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or status post-partial thyroidectomy for nontoxic goiter. The Board denied the claim for service connection.