Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations have been dismissed.,The claim to reopen the right knee disorder has been granted, but service connection is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and varicose veins, finding no evidence of a separate diagnosed condition or any link to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and headaches secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and OSA. However, the claim for service connection for an aneurysm is denied as there is no in-service incurrence or nexus.,For the entirety of the appeal period, the criteria for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are not met.,The Veteran's PTSD results in symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied service connection for residuals of heat stroke and mitral valve prolapse.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and awarded a 30 percent rating for atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, leg and arm neuropathy, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded. The propriety of the severance of major depressive disorder and a right shoulder condition is also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred or related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's hypertension and CFS claims have been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his military service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral eye disorders are all found to have onset during service.

The Veteran's residuals of shrapnel wounds of the right heel have been rated as a 10 percent disability since March 24, 2010. The decision also granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and depressive disorder NOS.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hives, gastritis, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. His diabetes mellitus remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation, and no higher rating can be granted based on functional loss. The claims for increased ratings for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea, a neck disorder, left hand disability (held in abeyance), and a left shoulder disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and obstructive sleep apnea, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or other events that could have caused the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the reduction in rating for his service-connected back disability. The increased rating claim and the issue regarding the reduction are intertwined and need to be addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and found that the Veteran's combined rating is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, left hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and hiatal hernia, are deemed to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of his service connection claims, particularly regarding periods of active duty service.