Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service, as it was diagnosed years after discharge and the medical evidence does not support a link.,The Veteran has a residual scar from a spider bite in service that still causes itching. The examiner confirmed this as a residual of an 1988 spider bite treated with outpatient surgery.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that the left ankle sprain existed prior to service, but its aggravation by service cannot be shown.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral/thoracic strain and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to service, with the lumbosacral/thoracic strain being linked to an in-service IED blast and the obstructive sleep apnea first manifesting during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and allergy disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for breathing problems and sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective March 15, 2004, based on the Veteran's symptoms and impairment from his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss or service connection for either hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation prong of the claim and updating treatment records from Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and he does not have a deviated septum or fatigue. The low back disorder was reopened on new evidence, but no other conditions were found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from August 25, 2010. The appeal for increased rating of PTSD was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis and sleep apnea claims, as well as a need for clarification on whether he had active or latent tuberculosis. The sleep apnea claim also requires an opinion considering its relation to service-connected cervical spondylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a statement of the case on several issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and whether his conditions are related to such exposure. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service. A new VA examination and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or any other condition.