Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a superficial nerve injury, but the issues of service connection for OSA and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the issue of service connection for depression is remanded due to lack of authorization and need for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection and a higher rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will schedule examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 5, 2018. This rating remains in effect until further notice.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, and posttraumatic tension-type headache and cervicogenic pain. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depression) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's sinus disability, including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted based on evidence showing its onset during active duty in the Persian Gulf War.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is presumed to have been incurred due to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and major depressive disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases of COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, type II for further inquiry into the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Korea.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for higher disability ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The primary focus is on determining whether these conditions are service-connected or warrant increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and verification of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes, hypertension as secondary to diabetes, and renal dysfunction as secondary to diabetes are all granted. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial compensable rating for deviated nasal septum due to trauma, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or causation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis had an onset during service. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease, has been remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2016 VA examination. The Board requires a new opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to his active service or if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, specifically his coronary artery disease.