Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, stomach pains, acid reflux due to asthma, esophagus damage (difficulty swallowing), hypertension, and heart condition have been denied as secondary to service-connected asthma. The RO found no evidence of these conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach pain has been denied because there was no diagnosed condition related to the claimed symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), nasal problems, sleep apnea, PTSD, and social anxiety as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disability, and right knee disability as secondary to a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's disabilities are not related to his lumbar spine disability or otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is not considered a current disability as there was no evidence of seizures during the appeal period.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, right upper extremity nervous disorder (to include radiculopathy), left upper extremity nervous disorder (to include radiculopathy), and right ear hearing loss due to potential undiagnosed illness related to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are unclear, and further medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA may be related to his military service, but more evidence is needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his PTSD. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board found no evidence of obstructive sleep apnea during service or a link to in-service events, and concluded that the condition is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted service connection, while his back disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and opiate use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disability and sleep apnea, but has remanded both issues due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claims for spleen disability and right knee scar.,The claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The low back disorder case is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for erectile dysfunction was granted, but the rating assigned is noncompensable. The effective date of service connection and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted as secondary to other conditions. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is manifested by loss of erectile power, but no penile deformity was noted. The effective date for service connection and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ cannot be earlier than September 9, 2020.