Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is unrelated (causation or aggravation) to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disorder, edema, neuropathy, left foot disorder, and right foot/ankle disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis was withdrawn during his November 2015 Board hearing. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The remaining issues are still under consideration.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that he is seeking service connection for, including headaches and calcaneal spurs and pes planus.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowable rating under the diagnostic criteria. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 10 percent. No other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, including linear atelectasis of right lung base, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service and his service-connected allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis, status post nasal fracture and septoplasty. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Compensation and Pension Service Director for extraschedular consideration. Finally, the increased rating for left knee disability issue will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hearing loss, lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disease L5-S1, right ankle post-operative residuals, traumatic arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hepatic cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a dental disorder are all denied. The Veteran is eligible for class IV VA outpatient dental treatment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in service or was caused by his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia are not service-connected, as they do not have a direct link to his military service. The examiner determined that the Veteran's OSA is less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand also includes requests for records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability. The case is now pending for further development and an appropriate opinion from a vocational expert.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability. Service connection is also granted for arthritis (right shoulder) but not OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right thumb disability, right big toe disability, and rosacea due to incomplete VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea prior to the Board's decision.