Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease is service connected, but his asbestosis and COPD are not. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current respiratory disabilities other than interstitial lung disease.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper radicular group of the left upper extremity has been granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the superficial peroneal nerve of the left upper extremity was granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's employability prior to February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial non-compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for sickle cell trait, liposarcoma, and residuals of heat exhaustion are pending and will require further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's request for a Board videoconference hearing has been rescheduled due to his need for additional time. The case is now remanded and will be scheduled for a hearing at the RO via videoconference.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, hearing loss of the right ear, status post nasal bone fracture, and a burn scar of the right forearm. As such, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is attributable to service and grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective February 8, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 16, 2014, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and osteoarthritis of the right index finger MP joint are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new contentions presented by the Veteran's representative regarding the relationship between OSA and service-connected conditions, requiring an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease prior to March 7, 2016 was not characterized by severe enough muscle spasms or guarding to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour. From March 7, 2016, the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, asthma, hypertension, and OSA as secondary to sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or association with any of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are at least as likely as not caused by his active service.,For the reasons stated above, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a videoconference hearing at El Paso, Texas. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.