Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia claims for further development, including obtaining clarifying medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to his active duty service, specifically from January 2007 to June 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and right knee disability are related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest in service and is not etiologically related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder. The Board found that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has sleep apnea, which had its onset during his last period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim was partially granted, with some issues receiving a higher rating and others remaining at the current level. The service connection for certain conditions is established, but not all claims were successful.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining new examinations and opinions for sleep apnea, hypertension, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or his service-connected restrictive lung disease. The low back disability was less likely caused by service, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for this conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, characterized as lumbosacral degenerative discogenic disease, is related to his military service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing examination reports and a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and chondromalacia patellae (knee) based on evidence showing these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, including its relationship to military service, pre-existing conditions, and PTSD.