Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of obesity is dismissed. The Board grants secondary service connection for sleep apnea as related to asthma, effective November 5, 2012. The Board denies the request for an earlier effective date for asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbosacral spine disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment beginning April 7, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence, and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) is denied as it is not attributable to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and no higher, as he does not require insulin or restriction of activities.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted effective March 31, 2014. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left elbow and wrist disabilities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, melanoma, and upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which contributed to his death. The examiner is required to provide opinions on whether each service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to death and if it aided in the production of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty or National Guard service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected depression and bilateral shoulder disabilities, but denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for numbness in the left toes, neck disability, right ankle disability, OSA, and hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for secondary service connection are remanded as further medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD due to lack of a VA examination in some cases and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, including any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, and therefore grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded it. The skin conditions claim is also remanded due to lack of competent medical evidence. Service connection for urinary frequency with pyuria was restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or otherwise etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for psoriasis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, deviated nasal septum, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, and dermatofibroma have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist CTS, left knee arthritis, and right hip arthritis as secondary to a service-connected rhinitis disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD service connection claim is granted, and his allergic rhinitis rating is increased to 10 percent. The hypertension rating is restored.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.