Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cognitive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and intermittent explosive disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran also has current diagnoses for a skin condition and psychiatric disorders (including psychosis and temperament issues).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not due to his service, including exposure to oil well fires and other environmental contaminants during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition must be reconsidered on the merits rather than as a petition to reopen. Service connection is granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea requires further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a more adequate medical opinion regarding the effect of his back and knee braces on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the etiology of his sinus allergies, headaches, and sleep apnea. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection issues.

The Board has denied service connection for arrhythmia, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for chondrosarcoma and residual scar of the right tibia are being remanded due to potential recurrence of the conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected PTSD or due to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or aggravated his current sleep apnea, heart disability, venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for arthritis of the left knee due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected headaches. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to headaches is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 23, 2016, for lumbosacral spine (low back disability) degenerative joint disease was granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as well as the issue of service connection for vertigo were remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sleep apnea and has also remanded the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior RO decision denying entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic vasomotor rhinitis was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to an undiagnosed illness and as secondary to service-connected disability.

The claims for service connection and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues regarding secondary service connection, tarsal tunnel release, and sleep disability require further development.