Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, and for a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner found that the current sleep apnea was not caused by PTSD, but did not address whether it was aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active duty and is therefore service connected.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims was incurred during his active duty in the Gulf War. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current sleep disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence or credible lay statements supporting a current diagnosis of left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (gastroenteritis), hypertension, sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his pleural plaques associated with asbestos exposure with emphysema, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed sleep disorders and ear disability.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for toenail fungus or sleep apnea as directly related to the Veteran's active service, including herbicide exposure. The VA examiner provided negative opinions that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, including a VA spine examination. The Veteran also needs to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bulimia nervosa was denied. The appeal of the TDIU issue is dismissed as it has been fully granted.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to asbestos and lead paint. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, BPH due to herbicide exposure, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, headache disorder (migraine headaches), sleep apnea, and pes planus of the right foot. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hypothyroidism and whether it caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The issue regarding reopening his claim for sleep apnea will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen her previously denied claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected parotidectomy disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine strain, to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for service connection for dyslipidemia and bilateral hearing loss disability have been granted. However, the claim for hypertension (to include as secondary to IHD) has not been resolved.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to obtain complete VA treatment records and SSA disability determination(s). The case will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence of record.

The Board has ordered additional development to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, including her history of trouble sleeping and symptoms such as loud snoring and gasping for air. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.