Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with DDD.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for jungle rot, bone spurs of the feet, and sleep apnea. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and thus service connection for OSA is granted.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam and Thailand, which is sufficient to grant presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, leiomyosarcoma, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for limitation of flexion of the bilateral knees and back strain. The Veteran's sleep apnea and tinnitus have not been established as related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not arise in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's OSA was less likely than not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability, including treatment for any service-connected disability.

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

The Veteran's claims for breathing problems, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, sinusitis, rhinitis, or bronchitis. The skin disorder claim was remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining in-patient records and an addendum opinion regarding his sleep disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 28, 2015 and 50 percent thereafter. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2015.,PTSD: The Veteran has occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Lumbosacral Strain: The Veteran does not have forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma and rosacea, as well as any secondary effects from herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's COPD was found to be less likely as not incurred in service due to recurrent bronchitis, which is not considered a chronic condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective July 1999. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as noncompensable.