Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and/or hypertension. However, due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA opinion, another remand is required for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected meningioma. The issue of an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left lumbar radiculopathy and multilevel lumbar spondylosis with herniated disc at L4-L5 is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder and denied the claims for PTSD, sleep impairment, lower back disability, right leg disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), DDD of the lumbar spine with occasional numbness of the lower extremities, and chondromalacia patellae of the right knee due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is either caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings on an extraschedular basis, finding that a grant of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) rendered further consideration moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent disabling since February 1, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show forward flexion of 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient diagnostic studies and a need for an opinion from an oncologist regarding the etiology of the claimed chondrosarcoma.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left eye disability and a low back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left knee and leg disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses are nuclear cataracts in his left eye and lumbosacral strain. The VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay assertions and the service treatment records noting a high Body Mass Index (BMI).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of sleep apnea during active duty and the medical literature did not support an etiological link between dust storms and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals during service, including asbestos and other materials on board ships, is related to his current conditions.,Both conditions were found to be directly related to service due to the conceded exposure to hazardous substances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, scars status-post heart surgery, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any other area where herbicide exposure was presumed, and there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The claims for initial compensable rating for right knee osteoma, service connection for a right knee disorder other than right knee osteoma (specifically, sleep apnea), and service connection for skin disorders, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.