Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and chronic bronchitis, but denied service connection for hypertension.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in this case, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to address the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted, but the increased evaluations requested are denied. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU prior to May 9, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected pulmonary fibrosis and asthma, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating from May 11, 2004 to September 13, 2005 and from September 14, 2005 forward. The erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting limitation of motion with forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings as it does not result in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted, as it finds that his symptoms are related to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service and his erectile dysfunction is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, right shoulder, bilateral elbow, and bilateral knee conditions were not related to service or manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection was denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be further adjudicated after the completion of the requested actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year following discharge, and there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to service. For sleep apnea, while a VA examiner opined that it was not related to asthma, they did not provide an opinion on whether it began during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is pending and will be addressed in a future examination.