Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are all found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board is remanding the case to address whether the Veteran's chondrosarcoma is related to his service-connected fibroma removal residuals, as well as any other relevant factors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for a head injury, lymphomas/lymph node enlargement, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia/high cholesterol, dermatitis, hypertension, and bronchitis.

The Board has reopened the claims for sleep apnea and hypertension, but service connection is not granted as the examiner did not address whether PTSD aggravates sleep apnea. The claim for an enlarged heart remains moot due to the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Board also found that service connection is warranted based on the Veteran's testimony and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but remains denied. His initial compensable rating for excision of a corn with distal phalangectomy of the right 5th toe was denied. The reduction in his rating for bilateral pes planus from 30 percent to 10 percent is upheld.

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

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum with partial obstruction was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea and sinusitis as secondary to a deviated septum are also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional examinations and treatment records, as well as further consideration of DeLuca factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to hypertension. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected pleural plaques with mild reactive airway disease and any secondary conditions such as gastroesophageal disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for increased rating and service connection will be addressed after these examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,For the remaining issues, including bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, additional medical opinions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of cataracts has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but does not find that he currently has a heart disorder or any other disability related to service. His sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. His narcolepsy is rated at 40 percent and his degenerative disc disease with low back pain is also rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, requiring a new examination.

The Veteran's lung, sleep, and skin disorders are not service-connected. The right ear hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.