Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability, but needs further clarification and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbosacral spine and maxillary sinusitis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The appeal is remanded for additional development on several other issues, including an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease and a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are manifested by at least painful and limited motion. The Board has granted a rating of at least 10 percent for each knee disability, but the appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to sun exposure during service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, and his hypertension is not at a compensable level. The claims for service connection for valvular heart disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, an inguinal hernia, sleep apnea, and hypertension (claimed secondary to PTSD) due to insufficient evidence or examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied all other service connection claims. The effective date of the grant is January 16, 2013.

The Board has determined that the March 2014 rating decision was not final due to new and material evidence being received. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of his condition during service.

Service connection is granted for hypertension. The Veteran developed hypertension in service and there is no evidence of pre-existing condition.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability based on current audiometric findings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chest disability. The claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, hepatitis C, depression, loss of balance, sinusitis, upper extremity numbness, chest numbness, and increased ratings for a ventral hernia and surgical scar are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected thyroid condition. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and lumbosacral strain disabilities as secondary to a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, left foot fracture, and sleep apnea due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions regarding these conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to an in-service hospitalization for ear pain. The case is being remanded for this purpose.