Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the condition and any in-service events or diseases, including continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's right heel disability, bilateral hearing loss, ulcer/GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are all remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as aggravated by a service-connected disability (tinnitus). The claim for sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating or extraschedular consideration is warranted. The earlier effective date claims were also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right knee disorder, upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and others. The TDIU claim is also being considered as a component of these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's representative contends that his current diagnosed sleep apnea is caused by obesity, resulting from the medications taken for his service-connected asthma. The Board finds this requires an addendum opinion to address whether the medication prescribed for his service-connected asthma contributed in any way to cause or aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the third finger on the left hand are related to an in-service injury and have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have manifested during his active service, warranting service connection.,The Veteran's migraines are found to have manifested within one year of separation from active service, warranting service connection.,Right shoulder tendonitis is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,Right knee strain is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,An acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.

The Board has denied service connection for Lyme disease and its residuals, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and bruxism. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase in rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by or incurred during active duty.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss disability, lower back condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, spleen condition, and thyroid condition due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic limb pain, eye disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, which caused him to gain weight resulting in OSA. As such, service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The examiner should consider the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, neck disorder, and back disorder in determining if these conditions are contributing to his sleep disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.,PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea as they are related to service.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD. The Veteran's prescriptions for PTSD are suspected to aggravate his sleep apnea, and there is a need for updated medical opinions on this issue. Additionally, it is unclear if PTSD causes or aggravates his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder and PTSD), and sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it for further development. The appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded due to lack of evidence on its secondary nature to service-connected chronic gastritis with GERD and Barrett’s esophagus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed sleep disorder and nasal fracture residuals. The Veteran needs to provide VA with private healthcare provider records for any treatment related to his sleep issues, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current sleep disorders are related to service.