Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,Effective October 7, 2013, the Veteran's right hand disabilities (thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger) are granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion are granted. Service connection is also granted for arachnoiditis as secondary to the low back disability. However, service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and left lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left leg condition (left tibia and/or fibula fracture), and sleep apnea due to incomplete development. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, hearing loss, skin condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back disorder, and neck disorder are granted service connection. The right middle finger arthritis and chondrosarcoma claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the veteran's left wrist, right shoulder, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, bilateral foot or ankle disabilities (excluding arthritis), and bilateral wrist disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology and continuity of symptoms for obstructive sleep apnea since service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected condition (persistent depressive disorder and right hip limitation of abduction or bursitis), due to insufficient information in the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart murmur, sleep apnea, and facial wart removal scars are denied. The claim to reopen his facial wart removal scars is also denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted. The Board found that there were sufficient in-service manifestations to establish a current disability during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to his anxiety disorder were both denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, HIV, and hepatitis C have been dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and secondary service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his only diagnosed sleep disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the claims for bilateral ankle disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension (including as due to PTSD) need further examination and evaluation before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion considering articles that suggest a relationship between PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and colon polyps due to additional development needed. The Veteran's attorney was advised that VA treatment records from Albuquerque VAMC need to be reviewed by the AOJ.