Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, effective from March 16, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no direct or secondary evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a new opinion regarding his sleep disorders.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of T-12 with lumbosacral strain were rated at 10 percent prior to May 13, 2015. Effective May 13, 2015, the disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination and medical opinions regarding his PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder strain was not found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Jenkins, which may affect his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need to determine if his current sleep apnea is related to service or any incident in service. The case will be further developed and reviewed.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and depression due to in-service events, as there is insufficient medical evidence to make a decision on these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea and depression NOS had their onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

Service connection granted for diabetes mellitus type 2 and obstructive sleep apnea, both determined to be directly related to service.,No service connection granted for obesity, high cholesterol, or other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for refractive error is dismissed as he has withdrawn his request for this matter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a deviated nasal septum, but denied his claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The decision is pending further action.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and did not find any evidence of it being caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.