Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for OSA and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, rectum and anus condition, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and service. Back disability, headaches, and right knee disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Service connection is denied for chronic aches and pains of muscles and joints, including right hip.,Service connection is denied for chronic aches and pains of muscles and joints, including left hip.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder other than sleep apnea.,Service connection is granted for tension headaches.,Service connection is denied for Raynaud’s disease.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, but the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between his hypertension and service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, a digestive disorder (diverticulosis), and dermatitis have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection cannot be granted because the medical evidence does not establish that any of these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, but has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 100 percent due to lack of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims for various conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for GERD was denied as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected back disability and is requesting a new VA examination to determine if this relationship exists.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, OSA, tension headaches, respiratory disorder, and CFS. The Board found no in-service incurrence or nexus to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostatectomy, migraine condition, lower back condition, resection of the colon, and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board finds a need for further evaluation due to the passage of time since his last examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a bilateral flat foot disability is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his active service.