Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including obtaining any outstanding records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any SSA disability benefits information. The AOJ should also request updated VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and sleep apnea are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. The other claims are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disability, irritable colon syndrome, and skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. Service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability (reopening of previously denied claim), and obstructive sleep apnea. The bilateral leg disability claim is remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and heart disability.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and requests for additional opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied prior to March 23, 2009. From that date forward, the claim was also denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea that he believes was caused or worsened by his service-connected nasal fracture residuals with septal deviation. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.,The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, which are conceded by VA. He also seeks service connection for pneumonia residuals, digestive disability (claimed as food poisoning), hypertension, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for pneumonia residuals, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of pneumonia, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically DDD of the lumbosacral spine and ischemic heart disease. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions' impact on employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection. Initial compensable ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities were granted from July 6, 2009 to June 12, 2011 with a rating of 10 percent each.,Ratings higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities were granted from June 13, 2011 to April 3, 2014 with a rating of 20 percent each. However, ratings higher than 20 percent since April 4, 2014 have been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities are rated based on the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims and that there was no relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea contributing to his death. The Board has ordered additional development due to missing medical records and the need for a determination on whether ischemic heart disease contributed substantially or materially to cause the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is a congenital defect and not service-connected, as there was no disease or injury during military service that resulted in an additional disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, and the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left femur fracture with traumatic left hip arthritis or lumbosacral strain, including degenerative disc disease.