Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea, GERD, and esophageal cancer were not incurred during service or due to a service-connected disability. The effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code. The Board found that her employment is consistent with her abilities and interests, and she has overcome any impairment of employability caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed conditions, as they are not shown to be related to his active military service or any in-service exposure. The Veteran's current conditions were determined to be due to other causes.

The Veteran's left eye disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted as the Veteran experienced symptoms during service and post-service, with medical opinion supporting an etiological link to active duty.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including contusion of the right hand, hypertension, headaches, bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, sleep apnea, herpes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as it was not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and instead found that the Veteran's fatigue symptoms were related to his known diagnoses of sleep apnea and medication side effects. The other issues on appeal are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea, are all related to service. The claims for increased rating of restrictive lung disease and special monthly compensation have been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disorder, and impingement of shoulders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of new evidence, and inextricably linked secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion on whether the service-connected asthma aggravated the Veteran's current sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, depression (secondary to service-connected multiple sclerosis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 8, 2001 for the 50 percent rating assigned for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD, OSA, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will provide a new examination for these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be incurred during his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable rating for tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were at least as likely as not caused by in-service, acoustic trauma. The left shoulder condition, neck condition, and OSA are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is granted.