Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including spinal stenosis, is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants this claim. The claims for deviated septum and sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss and septal rhinoplasty were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is directly related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not etiologically related to service or his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from Dr. Timmons regarding his January 2012 examination findings, and for additional development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and left shoulder disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's sleep apnea is more likely related to post-service weight gain, while his left shoulder disability was treated during service but no longer manifests symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during service, and the Board finds that it did not manifest within one year of separation. The Veteran's current sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or Gulf War exposures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its clinical onset during his period of service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disorder. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from January 30, 2014 to November 15, 2014 did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective March 30, 2012. The Veteran's symptoms of sleep apnea, GERD, and fatigue are secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have its onset during active service, and the Board finds that he has a current disability. The Veteran also had anxiety disorder which was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and acid reflux disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation associated with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7010. The TDIU claim is denied as there are no service-connected disabilities that preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to her service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU, but she was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial in December 2006.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes verifying his periods of active duty and Air National Guard service, obtaining SSA records, securing VA treatment records, and arranging for medical opinions to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA sleep disorders examination and cardiovascular disability evaluation.