Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has determined that more evidence is needed to determine if sleep apnea and eye disability are related to TBI. The effective date of the award of service connection for tinnitus will be remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active military service. Service connection was denied for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for DDD of the thoracic spine. The claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, Type II, heart disorder, Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer. Service connection remains denied for the other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for elevated triglycerides with high cholesterol has been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to determine if his joint pain/arthralgias, vision problems, hypertension, hemorrhoids, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, epigastric pain, and PTSD is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated septum is linked to his obstructive sleep apnea. His cervical spine disability has been granted as service connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis for a higher rating on lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as the result of exposure to asbestos, has been remanded.,Claims for lower back, neck, and bilateral knee and leg disorders have also been remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee DJD, right shoulder dislocation, and lumbosacral spine disability due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for new VA examinations.

An effective date of August 20, 1986, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for a left knee disability is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left wrist ganglion cyst as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional development. The OSA and teeth grinding claims are being returned for issuance of a statement of the case, while the psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of snoring and irregular breathing during his military service, which is considered as indicative of sleep apnea. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including secondary service connection for various conditions. The specific issues include sleep apnea, hypertension as secondary to lumbar-sacral strain, obesity, left knee condition associated with lumbar-sacral strain, right knee strain associated with lumbar-sacral strain, headaches, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), and hallux valgus of the right great toe, hammer toes second, fourth, and fifth toes, and mild osteoarthritis great toe have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of ten percent for nephrolithiasis was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability and sleep apnea were both remanded.