Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service and a new VA examination is needed to determine if it was incurred in or is otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and chronic daytime fatigue, is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for reopening service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraines, but denied service connection for a back disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The initial rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left and right ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot pes planus were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for his bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of various conditions, including kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of all pertinent evidence received since November 24, 2015.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, gout, rhinitis, acne vulgaris and PFB, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection is December 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's liposarcoma is causally related to his presumed exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune. As such, service connection for liposarcoma is granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the July 2019 VA opinion is not adequate to address whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder or cervical spine condition caused him to become obese, and whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for hammertoes, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus and flat feet secondary to his service-connected tinea pedis were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected tinea pedis.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for liver condition, sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity have been granted. The claim for back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary 100% rating due to back surgery, then a 20% rating from February 9, 2015 onward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD) is related to military sexual trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and stroke are remanded due to a lack of medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, concrete dust, silica fibers, and creosote vapors, as well as obtain updated VA treatment records.