Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or causation to service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and dyshidrotic eczema. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for acid reflux due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the rating claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of heat exhaustion was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to the in-service heat injury.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hyperlipidemia. The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and dermatophytosis (tinea) are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to September 15, 2017, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds no basis for an increased rating.,The Veteran's claim for neuropathy sciatic nerve, right lower extremity (RLE) secondary to lumbosacral strain was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for neuropathy sciatic nerve, left lower extremity (LLE) secondary to lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if sleep apnea is related to service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and substance abuse in full remission prior to June 21, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and substance abuse in full remission after June 21, 2017 is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disorder (seborrheic dermatitis), and type II diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial lumbosacral spine disability rating is increased to 20% effective May 4, 2018.,The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30% effective November 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right and left foot disorders, sleep apnea, sinus disorder, and allergy disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints related to these issues, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The claim for PTSD prior to October 24, 2013 resulted in a grant of a 70% disability rating.,Service connection for PTSD from October 24, 2013 onwards was not granted.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether service connection should be granted for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and chronic sinusitis, to include associated headaches. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as it is already at the maximum schedular rating. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board's decision denying service connection for sleep apnea is vacated due to the Veteran not having a current diagnosis at the time of the decision. The case is remanded for further development and an opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding that his sleep apnea began during service or was caused by his service-connected disabilities.