Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and vertigo secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are still under review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis and symptoms are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board has determined that service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, skin disability, and tumors. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his military service. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not caused by or permanently worsened by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after this action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total disability rating for left shoulder surgery from April 13, 2011 to July 1, 2011. The Veteran's post-operative residuals did not meet or more nearly approximate severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds, stumps of recent amputations, application of a body cast, the necessity for house confinement, or the continued use of a wheelchair or crutches (regular weight-bearing prohibited).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of narcolepsy is related to his in-service sleep disorder, chronic obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, service connection for narcolepsy is granted.

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

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing this claim as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 40 percent effective January 14, 2011. The separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 14, 2011, was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sleep disturbance due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a supplemental examination and an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes at L4-5 is rated as 10 percent disabling, and her right foot strain is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The ratings are considered appropriate based on the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was found to be incurred as a result of his active service. The Board granted the claim for this condition and assigned a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim of reopening his sleep apnea service connection was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and gout.