Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA records from the Birmingham VAMC and determining whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, low back condition, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his service in the Gulf War and is therefore granted as a direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, cervical spine disability, and anorexia nervosa are remanded as the Board is unable to make a determination without additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sinusitis, chronic laryngitis, and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has warranted the use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine during the entire period on appeal, and thus she is entitled to a uniform 50 percent initial rating from October 26, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his major depressive disorder is dismissed. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea, which he contends is secondary to his major depressive disorder, is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded several other issues including ratings for various disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather about reopening previously denied claims.

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for OSA and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for sleep apnea was denied in August 2012, but service connection was granted with a rating of 30 percent effective May 27, 2016.,The Veteran contends he is entitled to an earlier effective date due to his symptoms being present prior to the grant of service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and remands the case for further development.

Service connection is granted for right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether it was caused by service.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's representative provided a private opinion stating that his current condition may or may not be related to service, which is considered speculative and thus remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and whether obesity, which may be related to PTSD, can serve as a basis for service connection.

Service connection for sleep apnea, gastroenteritis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and finger joint pain is granted.,Service connection for finger joint pain is denied as there is no current disability shown.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia and hypertension, was granted. The appeals for the remaining issues were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand disability is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and the absence of any chronic low back disability since service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic disorder during service or related to an in-service event.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as PTSD) is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and relationship to service.

Service connection for vision loss, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, colon cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the left forearm, and squamous cell carcinoma of the left helix is denied.,The Veteran's STRs are silent for complaints, findings, treatment, or diagnosis of any of these conditions. Postservice records do not provide a nexus between service and any of these conditions.