Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal during a hearing.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, with consideration given to the Veteran's lay statements and service records indicating symptoms during service. The disability meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(b).,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea based on the Veteran's personal testimony and statements from fellow servicemembers.,Service connection is granted for alopecia areata, with consideration given to the lack of clinical evidence at the time of examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied service connection. The Board found that the current conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran was unable to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar condition and an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have first arisen during his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim for service connection of sleep apnea. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and remains granted. The claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeals of the issues of an increased rating for a lumbosacral spine disorder and service connection for ulcers, as associated with PTSD disorder are dismissed. The appeal to reopen a previously denied and final claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD. Other issues related to initial ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if OSA was incurred during service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the claims for fallen arches and residuals of in-service circumcision. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of OSA, pes planus, or RIC.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD prior to November 10, 2008. The issues of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and face plate pain have been dismissed. The Veteran's TBI has been granted with a rating of 40 percent from February 2, 2012 to December 28, 2014, and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has also been granted with a rating of 40 percent from February 2, 2012 to December 28, 2014, and denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim, but it remains remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted a 50% rating. The psychiatric and low back disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's asthma claim is reopened and granted.,Obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder), bilateral hip condition, eye condition, and headache condition are all granted as secondary to service-connected pneumoconiosis.,Low back and neck conditions are denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral SNHL is denied.,An effective date prior to November 15, 2013 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral SNHL and an effective date prior to November 15, 2013 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus are both denied.

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