Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for sleep apnea and a higher rating for diplopia. The Veteran's symptoms of trying to catch his breath and gurgling during active duty are considered in deciding the sleep apnea claim, but further examination is needed. For the diplopia issue, the Board finds that additional records from private treatment are required as well as an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for bilateral foot disorders, major depressive disorder, right knee and left knee arthritis, skin disorder (claimed as from shaving), allergic rhinitis, and headaches. The specific nature and etiology of these conditions will be determined through further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension due to incomplete development of records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral restless leg syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome (secondary to service connected left elbow epicondylitis), and right carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service. The Veteran and a former roommate have provided lay statements supporting their claim, but these were not considered by the previous VA examiner.

An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of TDIU.,An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of DEA benefits.,A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include hypertension, sleep apnea, left leg sciatica, and a right leg disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine due to insufficient medical opinions and consideration of lay evidence.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for OSA because the only medical opinion provided does not address whether the Veteran's sinusitis at least as likely as not aggravated his OSA beyond its natural progression.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and associated neurological disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and potential incurrent causes from post-military motor vehicle accidents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea disorder as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis with sinusitis, finding that the weight gain after separation from service rather than the service-connected condition caused or aggravated the current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma has been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6847 (sleep apnea) or 6602 (asthma).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for neurosarcoidosis. The claims for service connection for hypothermia, detrusor sphincter dyssynergy, and panhypopituitarism are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, OSA, and headache disability. The effective dates are not specified as the claims were remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and heart disorder were not caused by or related to active duty service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's sinusitis has not been manifested by incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.,Diabetes mellitus, Type II, requires only a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agent but does not require insulin or regulation of activities. Thus, the current 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.,The Veteran's sleep apnea has not been confirmed by VA records, and further clarification is needed regarding its nature and etiology as well as whether it is related to service-connected conditions.,TBI was added to the already service-connected PTSD without separate ratings. The issue of an initial compensable rating for TBI remains unresolved.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and prostate cancer due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.