Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, eye disability, obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and migraines due to outstanding medical questions. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (claimed as lower back injury or scoliosis) due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for this condition, finding a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and an in-service injury.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to active duty service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and the need for verification of the Veteran's periods of Active Guard and Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Guard and Reserve (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee arthritis with left leg shin splints, and right knee arthritis with right leg shin splints. The Veteran will be provided additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (manifested by anxiety and sleep impairment), and sleep apnea as the conditions were not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of initial ratings for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected, as it was caused by his military service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Skin Disorder, as well as an initial compensable rating for post-operative left inguinal hernia. The effective date of the grant of service connection for post-operative left inguinal hernia was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, right elbow disorder, bilateral foot disorder, sinusitis, and rhinitis were not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and dental disability (broken teeth) were denied. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right shoulder strain with tendonitis and degenerative joint disease was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection, rating assignment, and effective date issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg osteosarcoma, finding that there was no direct evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board also noted that osteosarcomas are not considered presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand two cases for further examination and evaluation due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms.