Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if a left leg disorder is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not caused by, aggravated by, or related to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine or prostate cancer. The appeal for service connection on these secondary theories is denied.

The Board has restored the previously assigned ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine paravertebral myositis, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his service, including in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran does not have obstructive sleep apnea and the Board finds that her claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the exception of his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board also found that new evidence had been received to reopen his claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral hand disorder, CTS, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), skin disorder, TMJ, conjunctivitis, and bilateral foot disorder. However, these claims are reopened due to the submission of additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed as he informed the Board that he is satisfied with his current rating and no longer wishes to pursue the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, requesting private medical records, and arranging for a mental health examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for Legg Perthes disease and a lumbosacral disability, secondary to Legg Perthes. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding their onset in service or causation by his service-connected asthma/allergies disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including squamous cell carcinoma, parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, actinic keratosis, lichenoid keratosis, and rosacea, is a result of his in-service exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. As such, service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea. The narcolepsy claim is also inextricably intertwined with the obstructive sleep apnea claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his service-connected residuals of a fractured nose. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current sleep apnea.