Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for heart condition, PTSD, and sleep apnea/sleeping disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, spinal condition (cervical and lumbar degenerative disease), right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder (psoriasis).,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are found to be the primary cause of his current sleep apnea. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in April 2012. The Board found that this evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying service connection claims.,The Veteran's back condition is not shown by the probative evidence to have originated during military service or for many years after the conclusion of his service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of surgical removal of a spinal cord tumor, including incomplete paraplegia of the lower extremities, finding that the current back disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the knees prior to July 24, 2017 was denied. The claim for an increased rating for scars of the knees since July 24, 2017 was also denied.,The Board found that there is no basis upon which to award an earlier effective date than February 28, 2014, for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee surgical scars. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to its inextricability with another issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in these matters. The Veteran is not shown to have a hearing loss disability, and his right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to service and remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service duties and his current condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise and thus granting the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding no in-service injury or disease that caused the condition and no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury remains denied.,Service connection is granted for PTSD with an evaluation of 50% but the effective date is subject to review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The case will need further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence of its onset during active service or a link to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, and requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, heart condition, lung condition, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.