Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis of his medical records.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the 30 percent evaluation of his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for sleep apnea. The case has been remanded to obtain additional information regarding the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetes or glaucoma, and the left shoulder and neck disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right hand scars, left hip scar, chin scar, and knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA medical opinion to clarify whether his obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise directly related to his active service, and whether his obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim will be readjudicated following the completion of this development.

The Board previously denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding it unrelated to the Veteran's active duty and not secondary to her PTSD. The Court has now remanded the case for further consideration of new evidence that suggests a possible link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of sleep apnea remains pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. The VA will provide a new examination to assess the current severity of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right ankle disability, sleep apnea, GERD, sinus disability, pes planus (flatfoot), and right knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran claims that his sleep apnea may be related to military service. The VA will provide a new examination to assess whether this condition was caused by or is the result of his military service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for GERD, which he believes may be related to in-service gastrointestinal issues. A VA examination will determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his sinus disability may be linked to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for pes planus (flatfoot), which he believes was aggravated by military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his right knee disability may be related to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims. The adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since the rating period on appeal, reflecting a limitation of motion to 60 degrees with associated functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning November 1, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's varicose veins, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability are not related to his active duty service or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to inadequate examination and development of the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during his active service and is related to his in-service symptoms.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.