Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for his right shoulder disability due to incomplete examinations, lack of recent treatment records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded due to recent worsening symptoms and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as claustrophobia and generalized anxiety disorder), and hypertension due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Gulf War. The claims are being returned for additional examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with CPAP is granted as service connection, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that his sleep apnea had its onset during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow pain and sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis for either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and sleep disorder to include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to incomplete records of his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbosacral strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, granting service connection for hypertension. The Board also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to hypertension. The cause of death is attributed to coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination of his right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae as there was no evidence of these conditions during or related to military service.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The reduction of rating for left L4 5 microdiscectomy scar residuals from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective May 5, 2016, was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea during service or as a result of an event or incident related to his period of service. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's iritis is service connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected arthritis. The issues of sleep apnea and increased rating for varicose veins are remanded for further development.

Service connection for sleep apnea is denied. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for migraine headaches throughout the appeal period is granted. Increased ratings for bilateral keratoconus are denied.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not that his OSA was present during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus. As such, the claim for service connection for OSA, including as secondary to service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting addendum opinions from a qualified VA physician to address the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service and is related to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.