Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting dates of service and incomplete records. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and sinus condition are being reviewed, with a focus on obtaining all relevant medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs to be reexamined for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an additional VA etiology opinion for his obstructive sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, small Haglund deformities, and hammer toes are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical evidence and a need for additional examination.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence showing it began during or was caused by the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding whether obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by asthma and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left knee strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD and/or TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is required to address these questions and provide a rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials and the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and GERD for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a separate compensable disability rating for neurological abnormalities associated with his low back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an opinion by a VA examiner regarding the relationship between his current obstructive sleep apnea and service. The initial rating for major depressive disorder remains granted at 70 percent effective August 29, 2012, and TDIU is granted effective July 1, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy had its onset as early as August 22, 2012 and granted an effective date of August 22, 2012. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain from 10% to 20%, effective February 1, 2013. The reduction was improper due to lack of improvement in the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a rating for thoracic back strain and TDIU. The Veteran's claim of increased rating for thoracic back strain remains pending, but his request to withdraw his appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and a medical examination.

The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease and hypertension before the Board could make a decision.