Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the current low back disorder is not related to service and did not result from or be aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathies are currently rated at the highest available schedular rating, with separate ratings for each lower extremity. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea due to pending issues related to hypertension. The claims will be adjudicated again once the issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension is resolved.

The claims for diabetes mellitus, sinusitis and sleep apnea have been reopened. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied.,Service connection has been reopened for smoke and dust inhalation (also claimed as bronchitis and lung condition), sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in and of themselves, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability was incurred during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, left hand disability (including De Quervain's syndrome and ulnar entrapment neuropathy), and back disability are all found to be service-connected as they were caused by his service-connected right wrist and carpal tunnel disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, right foot condition, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate initial examination and the need for additional development of his medical records.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a specialist physician regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, its relationship to service-connected knee disorders, and whether it had its onset in or is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service regardless of the fact that he was not diagnosed with sleep apnea during service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded to provide a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his weight gain during active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of proof to establish service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left lower extremity neurologic disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition, sensitive nerve system, dizziness and loss of balance, gout, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and completion of a VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the necessary information has been obtained.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current sleep apnea to service or her service-connected hypertension, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further medical examination and development to determine the extent of his service-connected status post uvulopalatoplasty, including whether his current symptoms are related to the procedure.