Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a claim based on an undiagnosed Gulf War illness and that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are attributable to known clinical diagnoses.,Service connection was also denied for a right knee condition, as there is no in-service injury or disease linked to the current condition. The Board found that the right knee condition is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected left knee disability and/or low back disorder.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted based on evidence showing it began during service.,Service connection for Barrett’s esophagus was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis that can be linked to service.,Prostate cancer was denied as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), left ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and a disability manifested by sensitivity to light and noise due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

This decision denies service connection for sleep apnea and memory issues, as well as an initial compensable rating prior to November 7, 2016 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for mild quadricep strain of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, lung disability, CFS, sleep apnea, hypertension, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and depressive disorder, as well as her increased rating claim for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. These issues will be addressed in a future examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not show a current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to his active duty, including presumed herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s COPD and OSA were less likely than not due to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has been assigned.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the current existence and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, hand pain and numbness, and sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a back disability, and a respiratory disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not show that his sleep apnea began during service or was caused by an in-service event, including a personal assault.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete records and the need for additional nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and a psychiatric disability including PTSD. The rating for total right knee replacement is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right arm/shoulder disability, back disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD) due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions, and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, umbilical hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.