Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine status post laminectomy precludes him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is being remanded for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, it is unable to determine whether the Veteran's current lumbar disorder resulted from an in-service injury or if it was caused by work-related activities.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be aggravated by his service-connected asthma, and thus secondary service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD symptoms or medication are causally related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and the lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral osteal degenerative disease (lumbar spine disability), tinea versicolor, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral elbow epicondylitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is found to have been incurred during active duty service. The right and left knee disabilities are not addressed in the decision summary as they were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or after his military service. The claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraine headaches are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's death was caused by squamous cell carcinoma of the ear, nose and throat with metastatic disease. His service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected reactive airways disease (RAD) and therefore cannot be granted as secondary service connection. Direct service connection for sleep apnea was also denied due to a lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and sleep apnea, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary claim based on PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional treatment records. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities are at issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right foot injury, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The Board has also determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing. The issues of PTSD and lumbar spine disability ratings are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether the Veteran's conditions are due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Board is remanding the claims for a videoconference hearing to be rescheduled due to the Veteran's absence. The claims will be considered again after the hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding of onset during active duty.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, effective since August 14, 2010. The previous evaluation was 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea and thus, service connection for this condition is denied. The thoracolumbar spine disorder claim remains pending as there was insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.