Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and clarifying the nature of the Appellant's National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected cardiomyopathy with angina, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and sleep apnea. The issues will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The claims are granted as they meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and physical conditions. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including small bowel resection, pelvic inflammatory disease, major depressive disorder, and other conditions, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her education and occupational experience.

The Board denied an extension of a temporary total rating for treatment requiring convalescence due to service-connected back injury with arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosac spine. The evidence did not meet the criteria for extending the rating beyond October 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical guidance concerning the matters of direct service connection and aggravation on a secondary basis as to sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as further clarification on the matter of Agent Orange exposure and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the right knee disability is 10 percent, while the service connection for sleep apnea has been established.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from November 25, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and OSA, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder and OSA to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, with a residual scar, is rated at 20 percent prior to July 20, 2017. The rating has not changed since it was initially assigned in April 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knees, shoulder, and back conditions, contributed to the cause of death due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and it will be reviewed again by the RO.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded it for a VA examination to assess its nature and etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary in the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a skin disorder, as well as the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding these issues.