Sleep apnea decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was diagnosed shortly after service and is considered to have begun during her active duty, granting service connection.

The claim for service connection for a sleep disability, to include sleep apnea, has been reopened. However, further development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disability (to include sleep apnea), and headache disability (to include as due to a TBI). The Veteran's VA treatment records from Tuscaloosa, Alabama in January 2011 are requested. Additionally, the Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea claims should be remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address potential service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service-connected right hip disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis is related to in-service injuries and granted service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the disorder began during active service.,Degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle are not service-connected, with no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0% (noncompensable) due to current hearing acuity levels.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his symptoms during military service and continuous since discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and its impact on his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was denied, while the claim for sleep apnea was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability in each case.

The Veteran's asthma and sleep apnea were rated at 60 percent effective from March 20, 2015 to November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his service-connected anxiety disorder has an effective date of April 16, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran’s genitourinary disability, digestive disability, sleep apnea, right upper extremity neurologic disability, left upper extremity neurologic disability, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and seborrheic keratosis are related to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, flat feet, and chronic sinusitis are being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to his service or if it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need to undergo an examination to provide this information.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his current sleep apnea.