Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and her eye condition (bilateral cataracts) is not related to service connection.,Her sinusitis and sleep apnea are less likely than not caused by or resulting from military service.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and right knee arthralgia with degenerative joint disease prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as sleep apnea, all secondary to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for soft tissue sarcoma is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthralgia of the lumbosacral spine, depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/gastritis, combine to be 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right heel injury, and sinus condition are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological link to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of May 25, 2011. The initial disability rating is to be determined based on the period prior to November 29, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea syndrome had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically addressing Agent Orange exposure and PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The case is therefore REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to be present during active military service and has not otherwise been shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran does not manifest PTSD.,The Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and unspecified insomnia disorder are aggravated by service-connected migraines.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling new examinations and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and his OSA is not attributable to service. Additionally, hypertension was not manifest in service or within one year of service and is not otherwise attributable to service.