Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and thyroid cancer residuals due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions, with a focus on whether they are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, paralyzed right hemidiaphragm, vocal cord lesion, or other factors.

The Board has decided that the current VA examination is not adequate to guide a decision on service connection for sleep apnea, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and coronary artery disease for further development. The Veteran's claims are not yet fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, and he is now granted secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability due to his cervical spine disability. The rating for ocular rosacea with chronic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye syndrome remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for bilateral lacrimal duct disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to new and material evidence received since the April 1994 rating decision. The issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records, as well as examinations to determine the existence and etiology of various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, PTSD and anxiety disorder. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an allergy disability manifesting in dark circles around the eyes, subject to payment laws. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed shortly after service and is considered a continuation of symptoms that began during his military service. The Board has determined this condition to be incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including lay statements from individuals who witnessed his symptoms during service. The case is being sent back for further development and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma is not manifested by any compensable disability prior to September 11, 2006. From September 11, 2006, to June 24, 2014, the Veteran's asthma is manifested by intermittent shortness of breath and daily inhaler use. Since June 24, 2014, his asthma is manifested by intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is not manifested by any compensable disability prior to July 24, 2006. From July 24, 2006, to September 22, 2009, his condition is manifested by mild degenerative disc disease and slight scoliosis. Since September 22, 2009, his condition is manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for TBI is denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records.

The claims for service connection for left knee sprain, right knee sprain, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis has been remanded.,The claims for service connection for conjunctivitis and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) have also been remanded.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted with an effective date of October 23, 1971.,Claims for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as they were not filed within one year of the Veteran's separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Claims regarding the Veteran's knee, shoulder, deviated septum, sleep apnea, lacunar infarcts, PTSD, and dental conditions have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, lower back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be related to his active military service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, cystic skin lesions, a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for numbness in the left leg is granted, but not for his fatigue or TDIU. The case is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for fatigue and TDIU.