Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, effective May 28, 2014. The other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The claims for left shoulder, hip, and leg disabilities, as well as sleep apnea and migraines are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and sleep apnea are not service connected, with the exception of a granted increased rating for PTSD. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and sleep apnea are not service connected, with the exception of a granted increased rating for PTSD. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between her benign snoring syndrome and sleep apnea. The Veteran's Gulf War undiagnosed illness claims are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including joint condition, muscle condition, fatigue/weakness, hives, insomnia, asthma, sleep apnea, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), headaches, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depressive disorder, all claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is claimed to be secondary to his heart condition, has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran’s sleep apnea and his heart condition. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU benefits due to his service-connected heart condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, as there is now sufficient evidence to support these claims.,Service connection for left-knee disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's shin splints have been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The right shoulder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea claims are remanded for further examination and opinion. The PTSD claim is also remanded with a request to issue a statement of the case on the issues of ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to January 21, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent from January 21, 2015 to August 21, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, and sleep apnea. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Skin Disorder of the Feet due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left quadriceps tear, left Achilles tendon, and TMJ. The application to reopen the claim of hypertension is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The application to reopen the claim of sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and his obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the impact of PTSD on his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection. The GERD claim is denied, while the pes planus and left knee disability claims are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, is being remanded for further development.,An earlier effective date for the PTSD rating is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis prior to February 6, 2015.,Service connection for dental loss is granted due to in-service trauma resulting in loss of substance of maxilla or mandible.,Obstructive sleep apnea is not service connected secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured jaw.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including a right lower extremity disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, gout, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claims or establishing service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected, but have remanded the cases for further development to obtain additional medical opinions.