Sleep apnea Board decisions

An effective date of November 26, 2013 for a 60 percent rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease is granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction) do not render him unemployable as he has been continuously employed for over two decades.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new medical opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The low back and right knee disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for left knee instability and separate ratings of 10 percent each for painful flexion and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The claim for service connection for low back strain is reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a positive PPD skin test, finding no evidence of tuberculosis. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and folliculitis.,Right wrist pain remains under review due to remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA examinations assessing the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea and headaches as secondary to service-connected rhinitis or sinusitis has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the claims, including a VA opinion that suggested an etiological link between the conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his in-service exposure to toxic fumes and pollutants during his deployments.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records from Indiana VA facilities, scheduling a PTSD examination, and obtaining an addendum opinion on sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for asthma, sinusitis, tinnitus as secondary to asthma and/or sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating of hemorrhoids is granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected TBI, and whether his erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. An increased rating of 40 percent is granted for lumbosacral spine disability, but the left breast scar remains at a non-compensable rating. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability and right leg neurological disability are both rated at 40 percent, granting the requested increased ratings. The TDIU claim based on service-connected disabilities other than bipolar disorder is denied.