Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and mood disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's effective date for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome remains December 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's current low back symptoms have been attributed to his nonservice-connected disorders, and his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was either caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, considering the weight gain due to these disorders.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will provide further action at a more convenient location for the Veteran.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea had its onset during his military service or is related to his active duty. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee injury, low back disability (claimed as secondary to a left knee injury), right shoulder disability (claimed as right shoulder bursitis), and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide notice of a scheduled Board hearing. The issues are about service connection for neck and lumbosacral spondylosis, with an initial rating issue.

The Board found no claim for service connection prior to February 23, 2005 and thus denied the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and an eye disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused by his service-connected deviated septum and allergic rhinitis. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or a chronic lung disorder (including chronic bronchitis and COPD).

The Board is remanding the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated septum and/or maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and sinus headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an earlier effective date for service connection for nerve damage of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the condition is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.