Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypersomnia with sleep apnea, a heart disability, impotence of organic origin, acne, and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during service or were related to service.,The Board also found that there was no exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during the Veteran's service at Goose Bay Air Force Base in Canada.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in the VA-contracted examinations and the need to obtain additional records. The claims include service connection for sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, middle insomnia, and hypersomnia; and a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for sleep apnea, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The addendum opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected anxiety disability is granted. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether the Veteran’s obesity, caused by his service-connected anxiety condition, was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The claim for service connection for gout was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's testimony at a Board hearing suggests that joint problems during service may have been early manifestations of gout, but this opinion is not considered competent medical evidence.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been granted based on post-service diagnosis and evidence suggesting it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent from January 12, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending and requires further examination to assess the extent of his disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal during a hearing.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, with consideration given to the Veteran's lay statements and service records indicating symptoms during service. The disability meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(b).,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea based on the Veteran's personal testimony and statements from fellow servicemembers.,Service connection is granted for alopecia areata, with consideration given to the lack of clinical evidence at the time of examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied service connection. The Board found that the current conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran was unable to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar condition and an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have first arisen during his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim for service connection of sleep apnea. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and remains granted. The claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeals of the issues of an increased rating for a lumbosacral spine disorder and service connection for ulcers, as associated with PTSD disorder are dismissed. The appeal to reopen a previously denied and final claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD. Other issues related to initial ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if OSA was incurred during service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the claims for fallen arches and residuals of in-service circumcision. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of OSA, pes planus, or RIC.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.