Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and review the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating for lumbosacral strain in excess of 10 percent before August 3, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not due to service, specifically his in-service nasal surgery. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim (including PTSD) will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain disability precludes substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical advisory opinion to address whether chronic idiopathic pleurisy caused or aggravated the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is unrelated (causation or aggravation) to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disorder, edema, neuropathy, left foot disorder, and right foot/ankle disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis was withdrawn during his November 2015 Board hearing. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The remaining issues are still under consideration.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that he is seeking service connection for, including headaches and calcaneal spurs and pes planus.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowable rating under the diagnostic criteria. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 10 percent. No other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, including linear atelectasis of right lung base, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service and his service-connected allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis, status post nasal fracture and septoplasty. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Compensation and Pension Service Director for extraschedular consideration. Finally, the increased rating for left knee disability issue will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hearing loss, lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disease L5-S1, right ankle post-operative residuals, traumatic arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hepatic cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a dental disorder are all denied. The Veteran is eligible for class IV VA outpatient dental treatment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in service or was caused by his active service.