Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her active service, specifically her deployment in Iraq. As a result, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran is granted annual clothing allowances for a back brace and left knee brace used due to service-connected disabilities, but the right knee brace is denied as there is no current service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as it was granted by the RO and there is no disagreement with the grant or rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sleep apnea and determined that he had a current disability, in-service incurrence of a disease or injury (service), and a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred during service. The opinion from Dr. Spinweber supports the finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea developed during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), PTSD, and cognitive disorder to include traumatic brain injury, not otherwise specified, have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD and erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in or caused by his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral painful neuroma are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings, effective dates, and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues. The Veteran is also requested to provide testimony before a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. However, the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected glaucoma, headaches, or sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or due to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his military service and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and he was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The decision is based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The appeal for service connection of pulmonary fibrosis and a skin disorder (including rosacea and skin cancer) is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected sinusitis and if it is secondary to a pre-existing condition. The examiner must provide an updated opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's lung disorder is granted service connection, but his sleep apnea is denied as not related to active duty or his lung disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including shortness of breath, sleep apnea syndrome, headaches, right elbow disorder, right hip disorder, muscle pain, GERD, and pancreatitis. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and the severity of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,Service connection for obesity was previously denied in a January 2019 rating decision. The Board notes that on January 6, 2017, the General Counsel issued a precedential opinion which held that obesity could be an 'intermediate step' between a service-connected disability and a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his claims for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a skin disability, claimed as secondary to herbicide agent exposure, due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding in-service sun exposure and presumed herbicide agent exposure.