Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any respiratory disabilities, including whether they are service-connected or aggravated by pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for early private treatment records, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (back disability) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, left patellofemoral syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), allergic rhinitis, left palm ganglion cyst excision, herpes simplex, acne vulgaris, and uterine fibroids, have prevented the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his appendectomy scar and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, as well as consideration of a TDIU claim. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbosacral strain (back condition) to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and hip conditions, finding that there was no direct or indirect link between these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis in the arms, elbows, legs, sleep apnea, colon disorder, corns on the feet, fibromyalgia, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea due to inextricably intertwined issues and potential exposure to environmental hazards. The AOJ is instructed to conduct further development as outlined.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension should be remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish that the condition is secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and denied service connection for keloid scars of the right arm, left ear, and chest. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and the effective date is set at April 16, 2007. The claims for PTSD and headaches were also granted with an effective date of April 16, 2007. However, the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right elbow disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances, as there are missing military records and further efforts to obtain them would be futile. The Veteran was exposed to Gulf War service but his STRs and MPRs were not fully obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to address the Veteran's claim of memory loss as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea likely began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (atriial arrythmias) as these conditions are not related to military service, including herbicide exposure.,Both the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation/atriial flutter (atriial arrythmias) were found to be unrelated to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus may be related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus remands for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct or secondary relationship to service-connected PTSD.