Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been established by medical evidence and consistent lay statements. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in April 2009, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a back disability; and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and breathing disorder were not found to be related to his military service.,Accrued benefits for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, sleep apnea, and visual disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and sleep apnea were found to be incurred in active service, including periods of active duty for training. The Board granted the claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective the date of his claim. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

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

Service connection for hypertension has been granted.,An effective date of June 18, 2012, is assigned for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea. ,The claim for earlier effective date for right Achilles tendonitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic branch), right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, heart disorder, and other related conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, sleep apnea, and obesity as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's low back disorder is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. Service connection for asthma and diabetes mellitus are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not causally or etiologically related to service nor caused or aggravated by his service-connected bullous emphysema or cystic disease of the right lung, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected deviated septum. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The headaches claim was not granted due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks, while the lumbosacral strain claim had no evidence of incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 31, 2008 to September 16, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a bilateral shoulder disability, and a bilateral foot disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.