Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran died in July 2010 due to esophageal cancer. The VA determined that his service-connected post-gastrectomy syndrome and hiatal hernia did not cause or contribute to his death, as the cause of his cancer was linked to smoking and male gender rather than any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examinations for his obstructive sleep apnea and joint conditions, as well as an insufficiently developed record regarding his right fifth metacarpal disability. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent treatment records and providing an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and limitation of motion of the cervical spine, have rendered him unemployable as of May 5, 2014.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent from April 5, 2007 to May 28, 2008 due to forward flexion limited to 20 degrees with pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, acid reflux, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2011 decision. The dental claim is also being remanded for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of the claim. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained prior to December 11, 2013, and an increased rating to 40 percent is granted from that date.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for sleep apnea, and the issues of reopening a claim for service connection for a heart condition, service connection for hypertensive retinopathy as secondary to hypertension, and entitlement to TDIU were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his period of active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service and denied the claim. The issue of insomnia remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea and upper airways resistance syndrome are related to his military service, but only partially granted these claims as they were not shown to be directly related. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including systemic degenerative joint disease and a back disability, are not related to service. The evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical strain with traumatic arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable rating criteria. The remaining conditions have either not been granted or are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and anemia claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in the right ear are not related to service. The Board also determined that spina bifida is a congenital defect and therefore not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but the Veteran's claim for a back disability remains pending. The decision on the back disability will be remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or hypertension.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service, including his combat experiences and exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of central sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.