Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder, finding that her current diagnoses and surgical residuals are not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for nose bleeds, heart disability, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during his military service.

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

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, and a new VA examination is required for several issues. The effective date of service connection for migraine headaches remains under review.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his deviated septum. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified VA medical professional.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed sleep disorder, including insomnia and sleep apnea. The examiner must also opine whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed sleep disorder is caused or aggravated by his chronic lumbar syndrome with disc degeneration.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gout and low back condition, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claims of service connection for hypertension and PFS of the right knee, as well as for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to include the elbows, hands, feet, right knee, and fingers, are all granted. However, the claim for an increased rating for PFS of the left knee with Baker's cyst is denied.

The Veteran's mild degenerative disc disease at L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels is granted as service-connected.,His left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral foot condition are denied as not related to his service.,His depression is granted as service-connected.,His sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,His headaches are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinea pedis (bilateral feet) and PFB (previously rated noncompensable) are granted with a 30% rating effective June 25, 2012.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and trichotillomania. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of the requested actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed disorder related to his military service and that the Veteran did not have specialized medical training to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and insomnia disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship with military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 100 percent, effective from May 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea due to new evidence received since their previous denials. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and anxiety disorder due to incomplete information about her Reserve service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if her conditions are related to her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right elbow disability, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective March 30, 2012. The left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied increased ratings.