Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild restrictive defect is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and his PTSD symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for further development regarding his claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bruxism, and anemia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim, including a need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the diagnosed lumbar degenerative joint disease is etiologically related to the Veteran's period of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected deviated nasal septum and rhinitis. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current OSA and his military service.

The Veteran does not have a respiratory disability, to include sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis, that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, but also notes that he has a non-service-connected disability (depression) which may be contributing to his need for assistance. The decision is mixed as it grants special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but does not grant housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for the service-connected hearing loss and to determine if allergies, asthma, and sleep apnea are related to service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed OSA was incurred coincident with his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's underlying claim will be decided on the merits after additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, bilateral cataracts, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the Veteran choosing a representative. The hearing request is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea qualifies as a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of sleep apnea and hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis of the right hip and lumbosacral strain are at least as likely as not related to his service, including a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 2002. Service connection is granted for these conditions.