Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct link to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the PTSD aggravated the OSA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and skin rash. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide evidence, and VA examinations will be scheduled to obtain medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection, and thus denied the claim. For the issue of increased evaluation for visual acuity impairment due to cataracts, the Veteran received a 10% rating effective August 2, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The cervical spine disability also did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease was granted, and a rating of 30 percent was assigned effective from November 22, 2010. The appeal is also granted for the earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have onset during service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also determined that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has been rated at 40 percent since July 14, 2008. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms including pain, stiffness, swelling, instability, fatigue, and lack of endurance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the examiner concluded that his sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Specifically, hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent prior to September 6, 2016 and 10 percent thereafter. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board granted the increased rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease and denied the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain prior to July 21, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent from July 21, 2016 onward is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions and the need for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether OSA is related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of newly submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate for making a decision on the issue of service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability may be etiologically related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, but further development is needed.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program was denied because his chosen vocational goal of owning a cabaret-style bar/restaurant is not considered suitable given his service-connected disabilities and lack of financial resources.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her service-connected fibromyalgia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.