Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome or SEID. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV and OSA, each claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will be provided VCAA notice regarding these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be a result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), and chest pain. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during service or were caused by any illness or event during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to the Veteran's military service. The rating for TBI with post-concussive headaches remains unchanged.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis at L4-5 are related to his active duty service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of a connection.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for DJD of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation and meeting the criteria for a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).

The Veteran's tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, and sleep apnea are all found to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be due to his service-connected nasal residuals, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including affording the Veteran's newly appointed representative an opportunity to submit evidence and/or argument.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability had its onset during his active military service, and grants service connection for lumbosacral strain and arthritis.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that they were secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran was also granted a higher rating for his spondylolisthesis with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar strain prior to June 20, 2012 and TDIU prior to January 15, 2011 was granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities was also granted.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, coccyx fracture residuals, metabolic acidosis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and right foot disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or a causal relationship to his service-connected asthma.