Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims, including medical records from his treatment facilities during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have been granted, with the presumption of exposure to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and a right knee disability. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to service due to their onset within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis and secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral CTS and OSA are found to be related to his service, with arthritis of both hands also being granted. The reduction in VA compensation benefits for military drill pay is upheld.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches, denied service connection for night tremors, granted increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability, and remanded the issues of TDIU and reopening of service connection for tension headaches.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome due to sepsis and cirrhosis, which were linked to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 1979 for the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disability preventing him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's aortic valvular stenosis is related to service. The issues on appeal are entitlement to service connection for aortic valvular stenosis and entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, including as secondary to chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected residuals of fractured left zygoma and chronic sinusitis, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and asthma are secondary to his service-connected organophosphate delayed onset injuries. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and his education folder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.