Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during active service or within one year thereafter. The claim was also denied on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is not etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for swelling joints, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea. The remaining service connection issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion due to the same VA examiner providing the previous opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is being evaluated for its onset during service and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates his sleep apnea, which is a condition he claims is secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions, such as tension headaches and tinnitus, were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The Board finds the Veteran's current recollections of continuous symptoms to be less credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and folliculitis and cellulitis of the scalp have been granted service connection, but the Board finds that there is no nexus between these conditions and her military service. The Veteran was awarded a compensable initial rating for her folliculitis and cellulitis of the scalp.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disability, including sleep apnea, is related to his service. Additional development and an examination are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it was caused or aggravated by his PTSD medication. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no probative value to the diagnoses of sleep apnea provided during his periods of service and after separation, as they were inconsistent with objective medical evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year postservice.,Service connection for residuals of a right great toe injury (gout and arthritis) is denied because the current disability does not have a link to an acute injury in service, which resolved without residual pathology.,Retinitis pigmentosa is not service-connected as there is no evidence that it was manifested during service or within one year postservice.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim will be adjudicated again after obtaining this additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome and therefore, service connection for chronic fatigue is denied. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea and insomnia are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.