Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he contends was caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an expert medical opinion on the etiology of OSA and its relationship to sinusitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his diabetes is secondary to in-service TB treatment with INH therapy.

The Board found no evidence of sleep apnea during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially evaluated as noncompensable prior to April 26, 2010. As of that date, the VA determined a compensable evaluation of 10% is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and low back disorder are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to missing records and updated information from the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased rating for left knee strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional pertinent evidence and for a new VA examination to determine his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but denied the Veteran's claims for skin disability of the toes and sterility (to include as a result of herbicide exposure) and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and sleep disorder/sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of lung cancer, and his sleep problems are related to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection, nor did it find a basis for granting the requested increased rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and sleep apnea are aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic heart disease.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain effective June 29, 2009. The Veteran's radiculitis of the right lower extremity continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, manifested by pain and limitation of motion, did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anorexia nervosa, are related to her military service, particularly her reported sexual assault during active duty. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses related to a gastric bypass surgery performed in October 2000 is granted, as the surgery was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and vertigo are related to service, while his sleep apnea is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to reassess the severity of his low back disability during an active stage of the disease when symptoms are most problematic.