Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be causally related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denials for service connection and increased ratings, leaving only the severance of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not service connected, and specifically denies this claim as it does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection to his maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea, are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a rating of 100% effective from the date of death.,The claims for neurodegenerative disease (including ALS and PSP) and PTSD/Depression were also granted with a rating of 100%, effective from the date of death.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as the effective date of service connection for sleep apnea was not prior to May 2, 2006 and a higher rating than 50 percent for his sleep apnea was not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was found to have a range of motion that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from March 7, 2010. The current 20% rating is maintained.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, satisfied with his current combined rating.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending and will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and explosive remnants during service, and providing a new VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa and bilateral hearing loss, and finds that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sinus conditions, finding that the medical evidence supports this relationship.

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 16, 1968 to October 19, 1994 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal shaft of the right foot, and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right foot and flat feet. The RO must address these issues when adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or memory impairment, and these conditions are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disorder including memory impairment are denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered to have been incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.