Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA sleep disorders examination to assess whether his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and left arm disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA sleep disorders examination to assess whether his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected nasal trauma. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA sleep study and an opinion on whether his current sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and pilonidal cyst are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, to include COPD, sleep apnea, bronchitis, and asthma, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders and in-service physical abuse.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective since September 1, 2011. The rating remains unchanged as his disability does not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and neurogenic bladder. The claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for neurogenic bladder remains pending due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of VA treatment records. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period from September 23, 2004 to June 27, 2011.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the period from June 28, 2011 forward.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records and for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The reopened claim is addressed in remand following this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea due to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinions regarding his left ankle disability and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of treatment records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain disability and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The preponderance of evidence shows that the condition was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA from 1997 to 1998. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.