Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or any link to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis had its onset during active service and is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied in a previous rating decision, as there was no evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service. The new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for pulmonary fibrosis was denied because there is no evidence that the condition manifested during active service and is otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for uncommon toxic nervous system disorder was denied as there is no diagnosis of a presumptive disorder linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability, residuals of carbon monoxide poisoning, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral strain, trochanteric bursitis, left ear hearing loss, deviated nasal septum, individual unemployability, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,Service connection granted for migraine headaches as aggravated by PTSD. The issue of a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, and Hepatitis C are both remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for it. The decision on sleep apnea remains pending as a remand is required.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that an additional VA medical opinion is needed to resolve the discrepancy regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea manifested during active duty service or is otherwise related to his active duty service, and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The appeals to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are all being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension was noted on his entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service. The Board finds the medical opinion of record to be more probative than the Veteran’s lay assertions regarding the etiology and severity of his hypertension.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing skin condition existed prior to service, was aggravated by service, or is related to in-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with insomnia began in service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.

Service connection for unspecified arthritis and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD, is granted. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including new medical opinions and review of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service occurrence.,Service connection for ischemic neuropathy of the left upper extremity was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active duty service.,Prostate cancer, claimed as related to herbicide exposure, was not granted service connection because there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the evidence shows that his OSA is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and headache condition due to service-connected PTSD are granted as service connected.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea back to the Regional Office due to a lack of timely appeal. The Veteran's representative submitted an Appellate Brief noting this issue, but it was not appealed to the Board.

The claim for service connection of arthritis has been reopened, but the case is still pending as it was remanded due to need for additional medical opinions. The claim for sleep apnea also remains pending and needs further examination.