Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's preexisting sleep apnea was aggravated by his subsequent periods of service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated in service, while insomnia was already service-connected. The Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is considered a separate condition from his previously diagnosed insomnia.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 1, 2006 for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied increased ratings in all periods of time specified.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for higher ratings or service connection are denied. His acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected as PTSD did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship with his sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric, respiratory, or sleep disorders. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination and failure to account for relevant post-service medical records from the Miami VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing notice regarding secondary service connection and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea. Increased evaluations for migraine headaches and syncope are also being considered.

The Board found no evidence of sleep apnea and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was submitted on May 26, 2005. The Board finds that the effective date should be set at this time as it is earlier than the originally assigned January 11, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, granting direct service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected allergic rhinosinusitis and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a sinus disorder was withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran has sleep apnea that is likely traceable to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with depressive symptoms and sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran served in Iraq, experienced traumatic events, and has been diagnosed with PTSD. Sleep apnea is linked to his service due to reported symptoms since 1992.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to an increased rating for a right foot disability and entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. Specifically, VA examinations are required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right foot disability and determine whether his obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his period of active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service connected sleep apnea and asthma, which were rated as 50 percent disabling. The case has been remanded due to the need for a current VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.