Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her claim for alcohol dependence. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen her claims for depression, headaches, fibromyalgia, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome), and awarded service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion concerning the onset and etiology of the Veteran's current sleep apnea, specifically whether it at least as likely as not that his OSA had its onset during active duty service between February 2005 and November 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he asserts had an onset during active service. The Board finds the duty to assist has not been met and remands the case for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ring finger, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions have been denied.,Service connection was granted for a left wrist condition (rated as 10 percent disabling), GERD (rated as 10 percent disabling), lumbosacral strain (rated as 10 percent disabling), and left ear hearing loss (rated as 10 percent disabling).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or a deviated septum related to military service. Obstructive sleep apnea was also not found to be directly related to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as neuritis, radiculitis, intervertebral disc syndrome, arthritis, and lumbosacral sprain and strain, is related to his military service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a videoconference hearing and the need to determine his current address. The case will be returned to the AOJ after scheduling him for a new hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his chronic lumbosacral strain and whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service. Additional treatment records should also be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his in-service sinusitis and/or depression. The decision also noted that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service, but did not find a direct link between his sleep apnea and this exposure.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected herniated lumbar discs, status post discectomies and lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The Board finds the medical opinions of record addressing the issue of aggravation stand in equipoise in terms of their probative value.

The Veteran is seeking payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at Pulmonary Physicians of Gainesville on June 12, 2013. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but the issue remains pending as it relates to a separate decision being issued concurrently.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have therefore been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral heel pain and skin rashes as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues. The remaining claims include a neck strain claim, sleep apnea claim secondary to PTSD, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records. The issues of TTD evaluations following the September 2008 back surgery, service connection for shortness of breath, dizziness, and trigeminal neuralgia, and reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a heart condition are all part of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU was granted, effective November 11, 1999, based on evidence of increased disability prior to the date of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing, issuing a statement of the case on the issue to reopen service connection for plantar fasciitis/flat feet, requesting VA outpatient records from January 2014 through the present, and scheduling a respiratory examination.