Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible date allowable for the grant of service connection is the day following separation from active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification on the theory of entitlement and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his military service, as it did not manifest within a year after separation from service or during service. Sleep apnea is being remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires a new one to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, and mental health problems.

The Veteran's service records do not support the presence of a TBI in service, and his current disabilities are not linked to any incident during service.,There is no evidence of a head injury or TBI in service. The Veteran’s STRs do not mention a fall or related head injury.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, heart disease, hypertension, fibroadenoma, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder disability and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of paronychia and therefore denied service connection for this condition. For the remaining issues, the Board has found insufficient evidence to establish service connection and has remanded these claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue due to Persian Gulf service. The Veteran will be provided with a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and urinary voiding dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted. The rating for his spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent, but he is granted a separate rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's sleep apnea and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The first issue is whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his active service, including complaints of frequent trouble sleeping in service. The second and third issues are about whether the Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower left and right extremities is secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbago.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions in the May 2017 VA examination. The issues are being remanded for additional development including obtaining STRs, verifying duty status, securing treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine spondylolisthesis disability is being remanded for further examination to determine its severity.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of increased rating for right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to inappropriately conducted examinations and raised issues that are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea as there is no probative medical evidence of current disabilities.