Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pre-existing foot conditions are not considered to have been aggravated by his military service, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to secondary effects of his peptic ulcer disease.,Service connection was also denied for depression as it is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals seeking a TDIU rating and an increased rating for his low back disability have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending claims by the Veteran’s representative.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the lack of a medical opinion on whether his sleep apnea began in or is etiologically related to any incident of his military service, including conceded Agent Orange exposure. The case also includes an issue regarding service connection for obesity, which was previously addressed but not adjudicated.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity essential tremors and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is secondary to PTSD or bilateral knee disability (with obesity as an intermediary factor).

The Board dismissed appeals for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board granted reopening of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, labral tear, and shoulder strain. Service connection was also granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's renal disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for sleep apnea is denied due to lack of diagnosis during active duty and no subsequent medical records showing the condition until decades after separation. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to hypertension, but hearing loss and PTSD claims are not reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, OSA, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that supports this condition. Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity. OSA and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remain under remand for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and continue to this day.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and is therefore granted as a direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU benefits. The left mandibular nerve damage case remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA opinion and review of relevant ongoing medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's history of excision of sessile gastric polyp with subtotal gastrectomy, roux-en-y reconstruction and obstructive sleep apnea are not related to his active service.