Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus the claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions in August 2001. He appealed to have his son added as a dependent effective from the date of his initial claim, which is August 1, 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, changes in symptoms since previous evaluations, and new evidence of worsening conditions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since November 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the issue is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in a previous medical opinion. The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, but it may be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic lumbosacral strain and tinnitus have been granted. His PTSD has been increased to a 70% rating effective August 23, 2010. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and hearing loss, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection due to inconsistent statements and conflicting medical opinions regarding the onset and cause of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed during service and is considered to have started there, granting service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its clinical onset during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and the Board grants service connection.

The Board determined the Veteran is not entitled to an extraschedular rating for his service-connected low back disorder.,The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.,The preponderance of evidence also does not support a finding that the Veteran is unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,A cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral knee gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.,Service connection for left ankle gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, initial rating for PTSD (granted at 50%), and TDIU. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board found the condition did not manifest during service or be related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her military service.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating due to hospital treatment for service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's appeal on the issues of service connection and rating for obstructive sleep apnea, opioid dependence, and major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left heel spur was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the current diagnoses were not related to in-service events or exposures.