Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and atonic bladder as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis are granted. The claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is dismissed due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide an opinion regarding the issues of service connection for left knee disorder, sleep apnea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left knee strain due to inadequate examinations in connection with the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis did not worsen during service and that his current degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. However, it has also remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for his right shoulder injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner will determine if her current sleep apnea is related to her active service or her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for left bundle branch block (LBBB), claimed as secondary to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea was granted, with the decision finding that his current diagnosis is related to symptoms he experienced during active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was present during active duty service and has continued through the current appeal period, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating for bilateral eye allergic conjunctivitis and blepharitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 40 percent for service-connected musculoligamentous strain, lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain with degenerative changes without radiculopathy is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected left lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is dismissed.,The Veteran's earlier effective date of March 4, 2010 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and insomnia is granted.,The Veteran's increased rating of 10 percent for service-connected extensor tendinitis, right long finger, status post ganglion cyst is granted.,Service connection for alopecia areata is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his currently present sleep apnea. The Veteran will need a VA examination and further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service connected right knee and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records. His claim for an initial compensable disability rating for Hepatitis B is also being remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the evidence was evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran’s migraines more nearly approximated the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the upper left extremity is denied because there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and his radiculopathy. The Board found that the VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran’s contentions regarding medication causing his sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing whether his sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and was not diagnosed until after separation.,Hypertension did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to service.,There is no evidence of a TBI event during service or current residuals. The Veteran’s blacking out episodes are attributed to another cause.,Migraine headaches were not diagnosed until years after separation and do not have a clear link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his current sleep apnea is related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.