Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was first filed on November 14, 2011. The effective date of the award is set at November 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD), left foot disability, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection cannot be granted because the Veteran has not provided any specific allegations regarding these disabilities. There are also no complaints, treatment records, or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not manifest in service and is unrelated to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to in-service injury, requiring additional medical opinions and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his OSA did not manifest during service and was not related to his asthma or any other in-service condition.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's VA examination for his lumbosacral strain disability was cancelled due to non-response. The case is being remanded to schedule a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service and post-service symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were granted service connection effective August 26, 2008. The Veteran's claims for new and material evidence for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea due to Gulf War exposure, erectile dysfunction secondary to hernia and medications for sickle cell trait, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine due to inadequate examination findings and requests for clarification.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral disk disease (low back disability) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,The Board also denied secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and sleep apnea secondary to service-connected sinusitis with headaches and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and ulcerative colitis, finding the preponderance of evidence against these claims. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding a left shoulder disability.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to new evidence, but the issue of whether it is related to active duty remains unresolved.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea with headaches has been granted. However, the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is still pending and requires further review.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and increased his index finger disability to 10 percent. The service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and skin disorders, but denied service connection for sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, back disability, and knee disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development.