Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa with cataract extraction, implants and glaucoma was granted in July 2011 with an effective date of September 16, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability started during his active service. The issue of whether VA correctly recouped separation pay is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder tendinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The conditions are considered to be directly related to active service.

The Board has granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for left wrist disability, but has remanded several other claims due to new evidence and incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and a chronic headache disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and procedural errors.

Service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, headaches disorder, and sleep apnea has been granted. Service connection for a left foot disorder is reopened but not granted. Service connection for hypertension was denied.,The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2007. The appeal for service connection and separate evaluations for sleep apnea and lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension were all denied as there is no in-service event, injury or disease associated with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's heart condition, including an addendum opinion addressing his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, and his right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, or hypertension.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of March 30, 2006. The decision is based on the VA examiner's opinion that the condition was present during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, Meniere’s disease, obstructive sleep apnea, red splotches on back of neck, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential paths for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran’s muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran's muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board has not determined whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The claim for sleep apnea was reopened, but new evidence did not establish a link to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds over the course of service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral back strain, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a current disability and its relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, noting there was no current diagnosis in the medical records.