Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his military service. The Board also remanded issues regarding neck and low back conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's asthma and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The back disorder, TBI, knee disorders, and pain syndrome have not been granted service connection.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of asthma and sleep apnea that is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's neck strain is also remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea with use of a CPAP is being remanded due to the VA examiner not addressing the issue of aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected mental health disorder. The effective dates for these conditions are not specified as they were already in effect at the time of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM II is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's leg pain issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it from appeal.,Service connection for OSA is granted, with a finding that his current diagnosis of OSA is related to his active military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence on direct or presumptive basis.,The Veteran's hip disability rating issue is remanded as the VA examination was conducted in 2017 and he testified that symptoms have worsened.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected asthma disability. The VA has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the severity of his asthma disability, an effective date prior to April 29, 2009, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and headaches to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, cervical spine injury, lumbar spine condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, heart condition, prostate condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and other specific trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted. Service connection is also established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right leg disability, cellulitis, telangiectasia, photoaging, sebaceous hyperplasia, actinic keratosis, and herpes. An effective date earlier than July 22, 2015 for left lower leg laceration with infection and drainage is denied.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. A separate 30 percent rating for impaired rectal sphincter control is granted, effective June 5, 2018. An effective date of September 1, 2008 for the award of a compensable rating for internal hemorrhoids with pruritus ani is granted. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is remanded due to lack of exposure information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination regarding service connection for COPD and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for COPD and sleep apnea are also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to PTSD, cervical strain, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, and tension headaches. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding his sleep apnea, including whether it was incurred in service or caused by his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed to the development and aggravation of his obstructive sleep apnea.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s prostate disorder, claimed as prostate distress with six to ten pads per day, to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.