Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, as well as his OSA, are related to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is related to his service, and grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a lumbosacral spine strain and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various claimed conditions. The appellant's military service is also being reviewed to clarify her periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea were incurred during his service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. The Veteran's PTSD and lumbosacral strain ratings, as well as his TDIU claim, will need to be reconsidered with new evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for sleep apnea was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of such a rating. The Veteran's status post lung cancer and sleep apnea are rated together, with the status post lung cancer being the predominant disability.

The Veteran's left foot disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a compensable rating for his right foot disability. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea cannot be linked to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed lumbosacral spine disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for sleep apnea and to attempt to obtain outstanding VA medical records. The issue of increased rating for diabetes mellitus will be adjudicated again after the examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during active duty service and is granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, glaucoma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The claim for increased evaluations of allergic rhino-sinusitis and chronic tonsillitis were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further verification of service periods. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his military service, warranting service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a deviated nasal septum remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to technical difficulties with producing a written transcript of the Veteran's October 2013 hearing. The Veteran is offered another hearing at his local RO.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted based on direct service connection. No new evidence or changes in the rating system were noted.