Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for essential tremors, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia was granted. The Board also granted increased ratings for left knee subluxation, arthritis, a scar of the left knee, right knee instability, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased rating for traumatic brain injury. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and respiratory disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of direct service connection or secondary service connection.,VA examiners consistently found no link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's OSA requires the use of a CPAP machine, but there is no evidence of respiratory failure, cor pulmonale, or tracheostomy. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent are not met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is manifested by decreased range of motion and pain, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent under the applicable rating criteria. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected residuals of cerebral concussion. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification on whether post-service falls or accidents aggravated his degenerative arthritis of the spine, thoracolumbar.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an elevated cholesterol disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a respiratory examination. The issues include determining if his collapsed left lung warrants an initial compensable rating, service connection for chronic respiratory conditions (including bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, COPD), and sleep apnea are warranted, as well as whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his left wrist condition, organic hypersomnia, and sleep apnea. The claims will be adjudicated again after these steps.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the Veteran's medical records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity; a chronic bilateral leg disability; and arthritis of the bilateral hips have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for left and middle chest pain during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues are related to evaluations for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee sprain, and left knee sprain.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether his Meniere's syndrome was incurred during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's CSA was related to his service-connected RSD and granted service connection for PTSD based on a diagnosed mood disorder. The SMC claim was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not begin during or be caused by his military service, and it has not been shown to have been caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities had their onset in active service or are related to in-service injuries. The Board finds that the most probative evidence of record shows that these conditions have a direct relationship with his military service.