Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The claim of service connection for melanoma is denied. The claim of service connection for an eye/vision disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, migraines, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, thyroid disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, hematuria, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and hypertension. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to hazardous materials or toxins during service, and there was no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, GERD, TBI, and sleep apnea due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ must reschedule these examinations on remand.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and frequency of flare-ups, which could affect the range of motion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issues of right shoulder, hip, and lower extremity disabilities for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is causally or etiologically related to his period of active service, including in-service documentation of sleep impairment and insomnia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and cognitive impairment are secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that no communication relating to unemployability existed between the January 2011 rating decision and the May 2014 claim. The combined rating of his service connected disorders did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to May 19, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been characterized by the required range of motion for a higher rating, and therefore her claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The lumbar spine disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from February 17, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the claims for left knee disorders, hypertension/high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains not established. Service connection for left varicocele and recurrent low back strain with mechanical low back pain and lumbar spasm were both denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia.,All four claims were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder with other specified anxiety disorder was denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for renal insufficiency was denied because there is no evidence of current renal dysfunction and the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of renal insufficiency.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea has been granted. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection is established for major depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected condition (major depressive disorder). Service connection is also established for sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied.,The issue of secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities to diabetes mellitus (DM) is remanded.