Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's GERD and low back disability were granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, while the knee and hip disabilities were denied higher ratings. The GERD was rated at 30 percent due to persistent symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no current diagnosis or established link between the condition and military service.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran has allergic rhinitis that may be related to his active duty service. The June 2015 VA opinion was based on a single bout of allergic rhinitis, which does not meet the criteria for chronic disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its relationship to military service. A new VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.,The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to IBS remains in dispute, with a June 2015 VA examiner concluding that there is no causal or aggravating relationship. A new VA examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve this issue.,Service connection for a headache disability is remanded as the Veteran claims his symptoms began during service but there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset and etiology.,The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains in dispute. The June 2015 VA examiner found no link between CFS and military service, with a new examination and opinion needed to determine if the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, colon polyps status post-removal, acid reflux, prostate disability, lymph node disability, and diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these disabilities and service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip condition with degenerative changes, right hip condition with degenerative changes, and right ankle condition. The claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran’s ongoing pain since his claimed in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted with an effective date of January 2, 2008. The claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as it did not arise until August 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 30, 2012 for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The record does not reflect that the Veteran filed a claim for this condition prior to November 30, 2012.

The Veteran's fatigue and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service, particularly environmental exposures.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and deep venous thrombosis of the legs, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The Board also found that the use of Prednisone for asthma may have aggravated his sleep apnea, but did not grant secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss has been granted, as new and material evidence was submitted. Service connection is also established for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection is denied for various wrist, ankle, foot, eye, and headache disorders due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The remaining claims, including those related to back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted a restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for CAD, denied service connection for sleep apnea, and denied TDIU. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, head injury, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was restored, and the issues of sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD were remanded for further development.