Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his deployments, including exposure to poor air quality during burn pit use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea with asthma/obstructive airway disease were granted effective from May 21, 2010. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran after a previous denial in April 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart murmur (now claimed as obstructive sleep apnea) because no new and material evidence was received. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obesity and secondary disabilities like depression, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, type II, and others, are not granted as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to these claims.

All service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim for service connection for skin cancer is granted. The RO previously denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, prostate condition, urinary dysfunction, and glucose intolerance condition (to include diabetes mellitus, type II). These issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service event or relationship.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service-connected asthma, and thus denial of service connection.,Erectile dysfunction was not diagnosed by the VA examiner, and therefore denial of service connection.,Neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities was not diagnosed, and thus denial of service connection.,Left hip disability was not diagnosed, and thus denial of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms in service and post-service diagnosis raise reasonable doubt as to whether his condition began during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately caused by her service-connected back and right knee injuries.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder and sleep apnea are related to his service, including PTSD. The VA will gather additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine these relationships.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected arterial hypertension due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran needs additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by or caused by his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied. The claim to reopen the acquired psychiatric disorder was unsuccessful, and the other claims (for sleep apnea, acid reflux, sexual dysfunction, and migraine headaches) were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding both direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further development, including obtaining a copy of his private sleep study and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the May 2002 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthrosis of the right knee with medial meniscus tear, including as secondary to residuals of acute renal failure.,The Board also denied service connection for osteoarthrosis of the left knee, including as secondary to residuals of acute renal failure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 30% prior to November 28, 2009 and increased to 50% thereafter. The effective date for the higher rating is set as of November 28, 2009.