Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung disorder related to his active duty service, including asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of asbestosis and indicated that it was due to post-service occupational exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to the representation issue.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea first manifested during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hip, right hip, and low back disabilities as well as entitlement to increases in the staged ratings assigned for a postoperative right ankle disability. The effective dates for these awards are being handled separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not originate in, and was not aggravated during any period of service, including active duty or reserve component service. The Board also found no probative medical evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder, specifically sleep apnea, was incurred during active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and granted it on the merits. The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during active duty. An effective date prior to December 3, 2010, for the grant of service connection for hypertension has been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his sleep apnea claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance and grants service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include sleep apnea, based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and associated IVDS, has been rated at 60% since March 9, 2006. The condition is currently manifested by muscle spasms, absent ankle reflexes, and persistent left leg radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's central sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current OSA and sciatic nerve disorder are found to be related to service, while his peripheral neuropathy is not. The lung disorder claim has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board granted the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that current evidence was at least in equipoise with the opinion linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and ensuring the Veteran has received notification of his TDIU claim.