Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to report for several VA examinations scheduled in November 2012, which prevented a determination on his claims. The evidence does not support service connection for osteoporosis, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, or low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not otherwise due to a period of active service or period of active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ due to concerns regarding informed consent and the potential for additional disability caused by VA care. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and osteoporosis of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral femoral necks are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service symptoms or injury that could lead to the current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The case regarding obstructive sleep apnea will be remanded to obtain an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather about reopening claims of service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea on the basis that it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for heart disorder and Lyme disease, as well as an initial compensable rating for right knee strain are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the final denial in February 1971 raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is at least in equipoise with being related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle, lumbosacral spine, bilateral hip and bilateral knee disabilities have effectively rendered him unable to use his lower extremities without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorders, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome.

The Board found that the appellant's sleep disorder, including somnambulism and obstructive sleep apnea, did not meet the criteria for service connection as his pre-existing condition was aggravated during active duty training (ACDTURA).

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection based on a finding of chronic manifestations during active duty and National Guard service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is pending as the evidence does not clearly establish that it preexisted service or was aggravated by military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his/her authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.