Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty or service-connected disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for dysthymic disorder was granted but not appealed.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise with the claim as to whether the Veteran's current disability of degenerative changes in the lumbosacral spine at L4-L5 is related to service. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and scheduling issues, and will consider referral of TDIU prior to March 11, 2013.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain of the mid back around the scapulae, and a TDIU effective November 30, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active duty service and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and vascular dementia are rated at 70 percent, hypertension is not compensable, diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicides, erectile dysfunction is secondary to hypertension, cardiomyopathy with CAD and peripheral neuropathy of the legs do not meet criteria for service connection, and obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar sprain, but denied service connection for right hip condition and left hip condition as they are not considered to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right-foot disorder was reopened and granted. However, his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was denied.

The Veteran's fibrocystic breast disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Further development is needed to determine the etiology of bronchitis and ovarian cyst.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review to properly adjudicate his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The right ankle tibiotalar degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent, but no higher due to lack of ankylosis. The noncompensable scar rating remained unchanged.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to in-service symptoms and treatment, including snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence), which were treated with medication. As such, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders are related to his service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The chronic pain disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2016 and increased to 20 percent effective September 26, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and right knee disability are related to her period of active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection, but his thyroid disorder and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is not shown to be etiologically related to active service, nor is it shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not incurred in or caused by active service and was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and other sleep symptoms are part of his PTSD and not a separate disability.