Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral CTS and OSA are found to be related to his service, with arthritis of both hands also being granted. The reduction in VA compensation benefits for military drill pay is upheld.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches, denied service connection for night tremors, granted increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability, and remanded the issues of TDIU and reopening of service connection for tension headaches.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome due to sepsis and cirrhosis, which were linked to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 1979 for the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disability preventing him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's aortic valvular stenosis is related to service. The issues on appeal are entitlement to service connection for aortic valvular stenosis and entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, including as secondary to chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected residuals of fractured left zygoma and chronic sinusitis, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and asthma are secondary to his service-connected organophosphate delayed onset injuries. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and his education folder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to disease or injury incurred in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a travel board hearing. His service connection claim for sleep apnea and increased rating claim for chronic conjunctivitis, left eye are still pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claimed sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and initial compensable evaluation for chloracne are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing his exposure to environmental hazards such as burn pits while deployed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service and the Board finds that it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is etiologically related to active service, and the Board has determined that he should be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations and the need for a new opinion.