Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent, which is sufficient to warrant a TDIU. The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his chronic migraine headaches and other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including his migraines.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's treatment and seeking an opinion on whether his obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD and emphysema, did not manifest during service or as a result of asbestos exposure. The obstructive sleep apnea was also determined to have no connection with service or asbestos exposure. The acquired psychiatric disorder was deemed unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion to assess whether the service-connected lumbosacral strain and right femur fracture residuals with leg length discrepancy resulted in an inability to exercise which contributed to the Veteran's death from ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, but finds that there is no causal relationship between his current respiratory condition and his active duty service. The Board denied the Veteran's claim as the evidence does not support a nexus between his in-service symptoms and his current disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding her service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining hospital records from his in-service treatment and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to sinusitis.

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

The Board found that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea and denied his claim for service connection. The low back disability was also denied as it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and any other psychiatric disorder rendered during the pendency of the appeal. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and elevated PSA levels were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran is requesting an increase in special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The case has been remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, a new examination to determine his need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, and further development as needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is therefore denied.

The Board found that there is no nexus between the Veteran's respiratory disorders and his service or a service-connected condition, including asbestosis. The weight of medical evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disorder is related to an in-service event or service-connected asbestosis.