Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service and service connection is therefore granted. The Veteran's current sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but further clarification from medical professionals is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder and sleep apnea due to incomplete examination results and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The claims of service connection for bilateral varicose veins with venous insufficiency, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's right upper arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disorder. For the entire appeal period, he has degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with a combined range of motion limited to 235 degrees or less and no associated neurologic impairment. For the period prior to December 23, 2009, his sleep apnea was not manifested by persistent daytime hypersomnolence or use of a breathing assistance device; however, beginning from that date, it is not manifested by chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor did he require a tracheotomy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for sleep apnea can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding her sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and reopened the claims for cervical strain and low back pain. The increased rating and TDIU claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and heart disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, including premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)/arrhythmia and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and to schedule the necessary VA examinations. The issues include claims for increased ratings for PTSD, head trauma/TBI, IBS/GERD, and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and attempting to verify stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain on hold until further notice.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for retinitis pigmentosa. The Veteran's condition was incurred during active service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD. The claim for hypertension remains pending but not decided in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The claim will be returned to the Board after the hearing is held.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain.