Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal in all matters currently on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for right foot hammertoes and several other issues. As such, there are no remaining claims for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right leg nerve impairment. The AOJ must also provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not attributable to service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability of degenerative joint disease (DJD) based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and procuring an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his periods of active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service. The initial rating claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including spinal stenosis, is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants this claim. The claims for deviated septum and sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss and septal rhinoplasty were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is directly related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not etiologically related to service or his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from Dr. Timmons regarding his January 2012 examination findings, and for additional development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and left shoulder disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's sleep apnea is more likely related to post-service weight gain, while his left shoulder disability was treated during service but no longer manifests symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during service, and the Board finds that it did not manifest within one year of separation. The Veteran's current sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions or Gulf War exposures.