Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, sinusitis, and hypertension) and his sleep apnea. The remand also addresses the issue of service connection for ischemic optic neuropathy.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and disability ratings in multiple conditions, including right rotator cuff injury, hypertension, GERD, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left leg, radiculopathy of the right leg, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence of current disability. The appeal for sleep apnea is remanded and the Veteran's claim will be evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and hypertension was granted. Peripheral neuropathy is linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Sleep apnea is not related to service or any other condition. Hypertension is secondary to ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints, diagnosis, or treatment of sleep apnea. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current OSA is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his tinea cruris and tinea pedis, as well as his sleep apnea. The VA will obtain all relevant treatment records and verify periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea manifested in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, due to service-connected sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic right trapezius strain with neck pain is being remanded.,His claim for service connection for MDD prior to May 8, 2012 is denied as there was no pending or otherwise unadjudicated claim at that time.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and increased disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's correspondence in November 2014 was considered an NOD, but the RO did not submit an SOC.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's cerebrovascular accident was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches due to additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for left knee residuals prior to March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as it was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Headaches are also granted as they were incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Low back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II did not cause or aggravate his hypertension, high cholesterol and lipid imbalance, skin disorder, peripheral vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, bacterial lung infection, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a compensable rating for melasma is remanded.