Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disability that is attributable to service or caused by a service-connected condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and anxiety disorder, as well as an increased rating for anxiety disorder, are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran and obtaining a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus remain unresolved. The decision is mixed as some aspects are granted while others are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a respiratory disability to include sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of combat experience, and there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Sleep apnea and hypertension were also not shown to be related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the January 2014 VA examination was inadequate, and remanded to obtain additional records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was found to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea and headaches were not addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertensive heart disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, but his claim for residuals of circumcision is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied, with hypertension rated as noncompensable and other issues remaining in controversy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for degenerative joint disease of the hands were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable DCs.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is found to have its onset during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service and service connection is therefore granted. The Veteran's current sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but further clarification from medical professionals is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder and sleep apnea due to incomplete examination results and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The claims of service connection for bilateral varicose veins with venous insufficiency, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's right upper arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disorder. For the entire appeal period, he has degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with a combined range of motion limited to 235 degrees or less and no associated neurologic impairment. For the period prior to December 23, 2009, his sleep apnea was not manifested by persistent daytime hypersomnolence or use of a breathing assistance device; however, beginning from that date, it is not manifested by chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor did he require a tracheotomy.