Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted, as the Board finds that his current diagnosis of sleep apnea had its onset during his military service. The reduction in rating for status post fracture, left 5th finger was not proper.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial compensable evaluation for pes planus with a left heel spur and service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new rating or benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for hypertension, shortness of breath due to lung and liver problems, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of VA treatment records. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service, as it was diagnosed years after discharge and the medical evidence does not support a link.,The Veteran has a residual scar from a spider bite in service that still causes itching. The examiner confirmed this as a residual of an 1988 spider bite treated with outpatient surgery.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that the left ankle sprain existed prior to service, but its aggravation by service cannot be shown.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral/thoracic strain and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to service, with the lumbosacral/thoracic strain being linked to an in-service IED blast and the obstructive sleep apnea first manifesting during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and allergy disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for breathing problems and sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective March 15, 2004, based on the Veteran's symptoms and impairment from his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss or service connection for either hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation prong of the claim and updating treatment records from Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and he does not have a deviated septum or fatigue. The low back disorder was reopened on new evidence, but no other conditions were found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from August 25, 2010. The appeal for increased rating of PTSD was withdrawn.