Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for OSA is also granted.,An effective date prior to July 8, 2014, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as it may be related to his service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the lack of a clear connection between the Veteran's sleep apnea and service, despite evidence showing incidents during active duty.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids and that her condition began during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their underlying spinal conditions. The current appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to February 20, 2013, the Veteran’s lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Since then, both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory problems/sleep apnea, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents in service. The VA is required to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed respiratory disability, including obstructive sleep apnea, is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, low back, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings, service connection for a left foot disorder, and sleep apnea have been returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and foot strain are of service origin, while sleep apnea is not. The Board denied the remaining claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted because the evidence establishes that it is at least as likely as not the disability was incurred in active service.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection of right knee disability, depression, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea. The initial ratings for left knee lateral meniscus tear and repair with arthritis and left knee instability as residual of lateral meniscus tear and repair were also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the cervical spine disorder claim and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or chronic fatigue syndrome, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,For the joint condition (claimed as Gulf War Illness) and muscle condition (claimed as due to Gulf War Illness), an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected nasal fracture.

The Board has decided that an additional opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral median neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and right leg radiculopathy. A disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is granted from November 14, 2012. The initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the right leg radiculopathy remains at 20 percent.