Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the Veteran's range of motion and functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary as the February 2014 VA examination did not address whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability evaluations and rating reductions, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted effective from the date of his claim to reopen, September 15, 2009. Prior to March 3, 2014, he had persistent daytime hypersomnolence warranting a 30% rating; thereafter, he required use of a breathing assistance device (CPAP) and warrants a 50% rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disorders, particularly PTSD and physical disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent, effective August 11, 2003. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating remains pending.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent since April 7, 2011. The rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not present during service, and is not related to her service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection and increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence submission, and will not issue a remand for TDIU issues until further notice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been established by medical evidence and consistent lay statements. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in April 2009, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a back disability; and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and breathing disorder were not found to be related to his military service.,Accrued benefits for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, sleep apnea, and visual disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and sleep apnea were found to be incurred in active service, including periods of active duty for training. The Board granted the claims.