Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anemia, sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, and GERD have been granted with a noncompensable initial rating for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations to assess the Veteran's neurological symptoms and their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's fall from a chair at the VA Medical Center did not result in any new or additional disability, and there is no evidence of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for back injuries is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with narcolepsy and cataplexy, finding that new evidence supports a link to his military service. The Board then granted service connection based on this evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since May 17, 2013. His radiculopathy of the lower right and left extremities are each rated at 20%. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea. The Board has determined that the current rating decision is not clear or explicit regarding the basis of the denial and requires additional development to address the Veteran's claim, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred or aggravated by service, and it does not find a causal relationship between his service-connected hypertension and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For her lumbosacral spine disability, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran has a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees and muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or kyphosis.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Her right lower extremity radiculopathy also warrants a rating of 20 percent based on the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,For her headaches, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, claimed as sleep apnea, is being remanded due to the need for an examination. His TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and will be addressed on remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by symptoms of night sweats and fevers or weight loss distinct from his service-connected sarcoidosis. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for nasal obstruction. Service connection is established for this condition, as well as for sleep apnea which is secondary to her service-connected nasal obstruction/sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and related conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current condition and active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including heart attacks/stress, pinched nerve in back, right hip condition, traumatic brain injury, and others. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain his service personnel records.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative spondylosis and spurring. As a result, the Board dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is proximately due to his service-connected low back disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative balance for and against this claim, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.