Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted as the evidence shows these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including COPD, aortic stenosis, sleep apnea, and depression have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus ratings remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, while his right ankle disability rating reduction from 30% to 10% was granted. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claims on appeal may be decided. The Veteran's sleep apnea and IBS are remanded for new VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology, as well as whether they are related to service-connected disabilities. Migraine headaches are also remanded due to its potential secondary relationship with sleep apnea.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is aggravated by his service-connected migraines, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for Bell's Palsy was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or due to an in-service event.,Service connection for dementia was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, glaucoma, cataracts and presbyopia, orthostatic dizziness (vertigo), hypertension, and acid reflux. The claims are also being remanded for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea during service. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea had its initial manifestations during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea syndrome, finding that there was insufficient evidence to show it was incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral shoulder muscle spasms, chest muscle spasms, sinus disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether his obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, or aggravated by it.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and cervical spine disability.,New evidence submitted since previous final denial does not establish a new or material fact to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new evidence linking it to his service-connected GERD. The Board granted the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity was denied as obesity is not a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes.,The effective date of the grant of service connection for tinnitus was fixed at August 28, 2014, which is the date of the Veteran's original claim.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence showing that hypertension began during service or is related to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for mesenteric ischemia was denied because the Veteran's current condition does not appear to be linked to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for broken toes of the right foot, a right foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to the unavailability of the Veteran's service treatment records. The Veteran is required to be provided with VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.