Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle and knee disabilities do not have a direct link to his service, but the claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the former receiving a grant of service connection and the latter being granted an initial rating.,For sinusitis, the Veteran received an initial 30 percent rating effective October 9, 2015. For rhinitis, he was granted an initial 30 percent rating as well.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 4, 2013 to November 30, 2016. From December 1, 2016 onwards, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, chronic laryngitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypoglycemia, fibromyalgia, parasomnia, sleep apnea, and pancreatitis. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hip disability, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are related to his military service. Specifically, a VA examination is required to assess whether these conditions were aggravated by service or are otherwise related.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, COPD, OSA, and a skin condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service, but needs further evidence to confirm this. The case is sent back for a more detailed examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as the condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but has remanded it to determine if there is a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The issue will be decided on its merits.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain of L4-L5 (low back disability) is granted. Service connection for low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Right eye laceration is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,Depression is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,Cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Thoracolumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent, with no higher rating granted.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The issues of entitlement to initial ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient recent medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not meet any of the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether it is related to service-connected conditions or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis, finding that the current disabilities did not have their onset in service or were related to military service. The Veteran's claims of exposure to air pollutants during service were not considered as they are not a recognized basis for presumptive service connection.