Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service symptoms of snoring and difficulty breathing during sleep.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the likelihood that his current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder. As a result, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for rosacea was denied. The VA examinations conducted throughout the appeal period consistently found that less than 20 percent of exposed areas were affected, which is consistent with a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood), drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection could not be established as the Veteran's personality disorder is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 8, 2015. From that date, his condition resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have originated during his military service and has been granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is the result of his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and therefore grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's other claims seeking increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were not established as requested.,The Veteran was also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability claimed as a result of July 9, 1979 VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for the issues of service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Board has dismissed these matters as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral shoulder disability and denied his claims for service connection for anemia, sleep apnea, and a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now considered. The Board has found new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea. The VA will obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with a medical opinion on the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate his left inguinal hernia and lumbosacral strain. The issues of service connection for lumbosacral strain and right leg sciatica are also being remanded.