Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for myopic presbyopia, right knee disability as secondary to left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic repair, and sleep apnea have been denied. The evidence submitted since the last final denial is considered cumulative or redundant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left eye ischemic optic neuropathy, left great toe amputation, peripheral neuropathy, and an earlier effective date for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service or any service-connected disability, including PTSD, CAD, and type II diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability claim remains pending as a new examination was ordered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss disability, and a pulmonary disorder. The decision found that there was no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for various service connection determinations. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's low back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of September 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headache disorder, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service and has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as the evidence shows that his condition had its onset during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection claims, SMC claim, and other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability found, as well as whether sleep apnea is related to service or aggravated by any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to active service, including as due to ionizing radiation or herbicide exposure. The Veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, vertigo, and a heart disability. The preexisting conditions were found to not be aggravated by active service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic lumbosacral strain in service and the current condition does not appear to be related to service, resulting in denial of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of how in-service symptoms do not constitute an indication of an in-service onset of sleep apnea.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain since July 11, 2011. The Veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to this date and is now entitled to an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.