Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and granted a rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder and peripheral neuropathy disabilities, is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea, finding that there is no current disability associated with these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish their onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD evaluation, and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (pulmonary disorder) is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of reopening his previously denied obstructive sleep apnea claim has been reopened, but the new evidence received did not meet the criteria to grant service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected IVDS disability, including range of motion testing. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Board finds that the Veteran's heart or chest pain disorder is not related to service and is not caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or radiculopathy in the right foot that is related to service. The Veteran's current complaints do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, and therefore remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and degenerative joint disease (DDD) of the cervical spine have all been granted. The claim for sleep apnea has also been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his eye disorder, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and rash of the stomach and thighs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not have its onset in active service or for many years thereafter, and it is not related to such service. The lumbosacral spine disorder also did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, and it is not related to such service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea and updated treatment records are needed.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and found new and material evidence. However, it is unclear whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and the diagnoses of the claimed conditions were not established during or related to active service.,Service connection was also denied for vertigo, chloracne, a disorder manifested by generalized sores, color blindness, respiratory disorders (shortness of breath), and sleep apnea.