Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that his symptoms began in service and were ultimately diagnosed years later. The evidence supports this conclusion based on lay statements and a medical opinion.

The Board previously denied service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, but the Veteran has appealed this decision. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD issue. A new claim for service connection for PTSD was filed, which could impact the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his service, and the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) preexisted service and was not aggravated during service. The claim for OSA is denied.,The Veteran's back disorder has been remanded for further examination and determination of its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip condition, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to his active military service or service-connected conditions, as well as assessing their severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome is related to his military service, specifically an in-service injury and use of Ambien.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the July 2013 Statement of the Case or within one year from the date of mailing of the notification of the determination being appealed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD. The decision also notes that the Veteran is currently receiving a 70% rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's skin disability is reopened and service connection for GERD and sleep apnea, both secondary to PTSD, are granted.,PTSD results in significant impairment warranting a 70% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development on his other issues. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea but the Board finds that the existing medical opinion does not adequately address whether it was present in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of sleep apnea, as there are conflicting medical records and the Veteran's lay statements. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion considering lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, increased rating for nephropathy associated with DM II, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and effective date claims related to bilateral pes planus with foot strain and metatarsalgia, gastric ulcer rating, and tinea pedis. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and a VA examiner will be consulted to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded, and his TDIU claim remains denied as he is currently gainfully employed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea (related to service-connected deviated nasal septum and rhinitis), left hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are all granted. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum and rhinitis do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and DJD due to inadequate VA examinations. The increased rating claim for allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and nature of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which is a condition that may have developed during service but requires further examination and opinion.