Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for several conditions, including lumbar spondylosis with DDD, radiculitis of the right and left lower extremities, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis with DDD, residuals of a hip fracture, and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or condition likely to result in current sleep apnea pathology.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were chronic in service and continuous after service separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs to undergo another VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service, whether it is caused or aggravated by PTSD, and whether obesity (caused by PTSD) aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's syncope is not currently diagnosed, and there is no evidence linking it to service.,High blood pressure was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, deviated nasal septum, and obstructive sleep apnea as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or treatment of this condition, and the examiner found no current diagnosis of right foot plantar fasciitis.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea (for both knees), right knee disability, and left knee disability to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, a cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of GERD, endocervical residuals, and sleep apnea. The issue of service connection for hysterectomy residuals is remanded, and the issue of service connection for a headache condition (claimed as migraines) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinion and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between any lung disabilities and service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations in January 2018.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability evaluations for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma and major depressive disorder with anxiety, both currently rated at 50% and 70%, respectively. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 40% rating, and the hearing loss issue is remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU determination is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right Achilles tendon injury, diabetes mellitus, fatigue, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder (tachycardia), post-traumatic migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and vasovagal near-syncope, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in September 2016 was inadequate for addressing the Veteran's direct theory of entitlement, which is related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability and has also granted him service connection for this condition. The appeal regarding service connection for a ganglion cyst in the right wrist is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his symptoms began during active military service.