Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for thoracic spine and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to inadequate development. The VA examinations did not include passive range of motion testing, functional loss assessment during flare-ups or repeated use, and the Reserve personnel and medical records need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea is being remanded. The issue of whether the September 14, 2010 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous is also inextricably intertwined with this matter.

The Board has found that additional development is needed prior to final adjudication of the issues on appeal, specifically a new VA examination for the Veteran's back condition due to his spina bifida. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spondylosis C5-C6 and C6-C7, eczema, hearing loss, low back degenerative disc disease, PTSD, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right shoulder rotator cuff pathology, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Effective dates for the above conditions have been set at December 16, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, flat feet with inflammation, right wrist condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, nerve conditions of the left and right lower extremities, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the claim for service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a conclusion that sleep apnea was incurred in service or is proximately due to or the result of service connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including dyspnea, vision disorder, stomach disorder, sleep apnea, skin disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service that caused these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be associated with his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities and prescribed medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion supporting a secondary service connection theory based on ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and sinus headaches are granted a 50% rating effective December 12, 2015. The claim of an initial compensable rating for nasal septal deviation is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability and for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claim for chest pain is remanded, as are the claims for increased rating of the back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of OSA, increased rating for respiratory disorder, and an increase in the rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral shin splints.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Right ankle strain and residuals of right ankle fracture with surgical repair are denied as secondary to two service-connected right foot disabilities.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has remanded several of the Veteran's claims for further development, including increased rating claims and service connection claims. The decision on these issues is pending.