Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and sleep apnea were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hemorrhoids was fixed at March 8, 2013.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability was granted. The claims for service connection of neck injury residuals, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hip disability, and acid reflux were all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right knee with foot drop. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, left foot condition, tinnitus, and right eye condition are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to his service-connected residuals of nasal fracture, finding that there is a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional development is needed before further disposition of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective November 30, 2010. The initial claim for allergic rhinitis was denied in the past and reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's left and right hallux valgus are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral flatfoot.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as first manifesting during active service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service, and a VA examination is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hip disorder, right hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acid reflux, and headaches. The decisions were based on lack of evidence supporting these claims or because they are not related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and therefore a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals. The issues of a separate compensable rating for fractured ribs and deformity of the right lower rib cage as well as an increased rating for coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate hearing testimony regarding potential service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a secondary basis to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Gulf War examination to evaluate the Veteran's sleep disturbances and determine if they are related to service, including possible undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but there is plausible evidence of unemployability as a result of her service-connected disabilities. The case is REMANDED to refer the claim for TDIU to the Director, Compensation Service, for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted, with the decision finding that his symptoms were present in service and supported by medical evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of sleep apnea, which began during active duty due to exposure to diesel fuel fumes, and there is no indication of aggravation or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it was not caused by or aggravated by his military service, and there is no evidence that it is related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent bronchitis, sleep disorder (insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), eustachian tube dysfunction, chills, immune system disorder, and headache disorder have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as further development is necessary due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during or shortly after his military service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.