Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis and sleep apnea have been granted service connection, with the right ankle tendonitis being secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, and the effective date for PTSD service connection is set at May 27, 2008. The Veteran also receives a higher initial disability rating of 70% for PTSD prior to November 8, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reopening of claims for pes planus, low back disability, peptic ulcer disease, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records from the Veteran's chiropractor, specifically a June 2012 lumbar spine x-ray report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service boxing injury and his current condition. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the Veteran’s contention.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's in-service ear, nose, and throat troubles along with substantial weight gain post-service are the proximate cause of his current sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension. The appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, rosacea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, prostate disorder, blood disorder, and thyroid disorder as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period or a link to service. The Veteran's claims for skin disorder and increased PTSD rating are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The VA is required to provide a VA examination in both cases as there are insufficient medical opinions on record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is due to his military service and grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and he appeals for a higher rating due to worsening pain, severely limited mobility, and difficulty in working.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for a compensable initial disability rating for tinea cruris of the left ankle and for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back condition, right ankle condition, sleep apnea condition, and headache condition have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea and headaches. The Veteran’s hypertension and diabetes mellitus Type II are denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee OSD and arthritis, DM (diabetes mellitus), sleep apnea, high blood pressure/HTN, left hand contusion residuals, frostbite of the right foot, frostbite of the left foot, neuropathy of the feet, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The decision also noted that some conditions may be related to pre-existing conditions or other factors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic pain syndrome is dismissed. His claim for a 60 percent disability rating for CFS since February 28, 2017 is granted. The issue of service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected disabilities and the issue of TDIU are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical evidence in some cases, and a need for further examinations.