Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea. The issue will be readjudicated after all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, vertigo, or a heart disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address relevant lay evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea must be evaluated by a new VA examiner.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected asthma. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypoglycemia remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to military service or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, or astragalectomy. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and sinusitis. The Board has ordered additional development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral conditions, service connection for degenerative lumbosacral spondylosis, and service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted it on de novo review, finding that the Veteran's disability was first manifested in service and has persisted since.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the current lumbosacral disability was not caused by or a result of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is not warranted.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea or pes planus to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension, but denied the claim for OSA due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, a prostate disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and left knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support these claims. Service connection was previously denied for tinea pedis in 1973, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart conditions, including coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension is also found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or heart conditions.