Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease of L5, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of his current lumbar disability.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 60 percent for his service-connected spontaneous L1 fusion across the anterior vertebral services beneath the anterior longitudinal and the ligament, with arthritis of lumbosacral spine. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for an increased evaluation based on incapacitating episodes with a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis, hypertension, sleep apnea, and transient ischemic attacks with strokes are not attributable to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations.

The Board has determined that service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted, and the request to reopen a claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II (DM) is also granted. The decision on whether DM was present during service or secondary to hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The appeal of the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability and back condition. The decision also addressed his claim for tinnitus, lung condition, and sleep apnea, but did not specify whether these were granted or denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of their current assigned percentages.,VA examinations consistently showed that the Veteran’s range of motion was within normal limits for his service-connected right and left knees, with no instability or subluxation noted. His lumbosacral strain also met criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is at least as likely as not a natural progression of the lumbar strain noted in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, complete the Veteran's medical release forms for any additional relevant records, and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his service, if it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, securing his VA vocational rehabilitation file, and providing an advisory opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of GERD, depressive disorder, and a heart disability, is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's insomnia was granted service connection in April 2015. Service connection for sleep apnea and GERD were denied as the conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected back condition. The hypertension claim is remanded due to a lack of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea is granted, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. A sleep apnea examination will be conducted to determine if the condition began in service or is related to service. An acquired psychiatric disorder examination will also be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.