Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral lower extremity dermatitis are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and TBI, respectively. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus is set at December 28, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for leiomyosarcoma, cause of death, and DIC benefits due to potential Agent Orange exposure. The case is returned to the agency for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disability, including whether it is related to in-service injury or pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic obstructive sleep apnea had its initial onset during his active duty, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of injury to lumbar spine, finding that his disability picture more closely approximates the criteria required for a 20 percent evaluation under DC 5237.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran needs to be reexamined to determine if his sleep apnea started during his military service or is related to it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including low back and right knee conditions, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as irritable bowel disease and Crohn's disease), diabetes mellitus type II, and narcolepsy. The claims were remanded for further development regarding a respiratory disability and varicose veins.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, a sleep condition (claimed as sleep apnea), high cholesterol, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, facial acne, cysts and lumps, and headaches have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any chronic conditions related to service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a lumbosacral spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a jaw disorder. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to his active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has not been manifested by forward flexion of the cervical or thoracolumbar spine, and no IVDS is present. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent for his condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a heart disorder. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for either condition as there is no evidence that they began during his military service or are otherwise related.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain rating, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if his cervical spine disability is related to service or secondary to his lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it is not related to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability, including diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's active service from November 1986 to July 1987 is not a bar to benefits. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and preparing an addendum opinion by another examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, and a new medical opinion is needed to address whether it had its onset during active duty or is otherwise related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.