Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea was neither incurred in nor caused by active military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing small airway condition, which is considered a congenital disease, underwent an increase in severity during service resulting in current sleep apnea. The Board finds that this aggravation occurred within the meaning of VA regulations and grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected nasal trauma with residual narrowing of the right nare, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 70% prior to September 16, 2010. From that date forward, the rating for PTSD has been denied.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea remains unresolved as it is not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA medical opinion on lung cancer and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder were reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened and granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is also granted. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke is not etiologically related to his active service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for secondary service connection for a stroke remains denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, total left knee replacement, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology in service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn with respect to tinea pedis. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the low back disability is related to service, and granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding whether his reactive airway disease has aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and insomnia, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, lumbar spine strain, axonal peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity and left tarsal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease cervical spine, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the RO determination regarding an effective date prior to May 17, 2006, for the grant of TDIU based on CUE in a July 24, 1984 Board decision. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, and the appellant did not become disabled with sleep apnea during any qualifying period of Army Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma with sleep apnea warrants a 60 percent rating, effective from October 28, 2011. The Veteran also requires SMC at the rate based on need for aid and attendance due to higher level of care.