Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct, secondary (to PTSD), or presumptive service connection. For his initial rating on PTSD, the Veteran received a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability, headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, right hand disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, neuropathy, allergies, arthritis, or erectile dysfunction that were incurred in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred due to the lack of showing within one year post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy, based on aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased disability rating for his stomach condition. He also has service connection claims for other conditions and seeks secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and reopened the claims for service connection for back disorder and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, arthritis of the hands, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 14, 2014 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service, including during and after his military career. The Veteran testified about snoring and difficulty breathing while sleeping during service and since then.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right foot heel spurs, left foot heel spurs, and OSA are all granted. The claim for PTSD is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) and hypertension are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a headache disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis due to his service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, that was incurred in or caused by his service, including any exposure to herbicides therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disorder manifested during his active service and granted service connection for coronary artery disease. The issue of sleep apnea is remanded as a VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examinations, as well as the need to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had onset during active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's back disability and current coronary artery disease are found to be related to service, while his right knee condition is not.