Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis with cysts, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, asthma (claimed as chronic cough), and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or any environmental exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service and is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations and effective dates for service connection of various conditions was granted. The issues related to bilateral hearing loss, benign prostatic hypertrophy, lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, and mood disorder NOS were addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service in Saudi Arabia is also unclear, and his complete service personnel records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred during his active service, and the Board found no direct or secondary service connection. The opinion of a VA examiner stated that the Veteran’s current sleep apnea is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shaking (tremors) has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue has also been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran’s fatigue disability is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

All claims for service connection are remanded. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted, but the other conditions remain in dispute.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of sleep apnea in service. The Veteran's statements were not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, depression, and other disabilities due to outstanding evidence and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, nerve damage, hypertension, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral eye disability; and a right shoulder disability have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, headaches, and heart disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for MDD, low back disability, and LLE radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is also having his TDIU claim deferred until final disposition of the rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and procedural errors. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

Service connection is denied for shin splints, left leg and right leg.,Service connection is denied for gout in the left foot, left ankle, left knee, and right knee.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of current left lower extremity radiculopathy or right lower extremity radiculopathy, and the claim for these conditions is denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition due to undiagnosed illness is not granted as there are no objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability in his right shoulder.,The Veteran's current rating for insomnia remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), and headaches to include migraines due to lack of new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The increased rating claims for knees and the psychiatric disorder are remanded, as well as the claim for service connection for colon cancer and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and OSA are related to his active service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.