Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, generalized osteoarthritis (OA), hypertension, and a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied. Obesity is not considered a compensable disability under VA laws and regulations.,Service connection for residuals of left knee prosthetic replacement with painful and limited range of motion is granted at 60 percent effective July 5, 2016.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee OA based on limitation of flexion is granted.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The claim of TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a left shoulder disability due to an inadequate VA examination in July 2016.

The Board has decided that the case should be returned for further action regarding service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pelvic disability, deviated septum, and tuberculosis have been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of these claims during his November 2016 hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted based on new evidence showing a nexus to active service. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder (including gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, and fecal incontinence) has also been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ureterolithiasis, and penicillin, sulfa drug, iodine, and latex allergies. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction due to diabetes and PTSD.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected right knee disability.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran’s active duty military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused in part by the Veteran's obesity, which was caused by his service-connected persistent depressive disorder and knee disorders.

The Veteran's headaches, heart condition, and memory loss were not found to be related to service.,Fibromyalgia was diagnosed in September 2018 but its etiology remains unclear.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for respiratory and sleep disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left shoulder dyskinesis, eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance, and a special home adaptation grant. The appeals are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, insomnia with anger issues, sleep apnea, and gall bladder surgery has been denied. The claims for stiffness and slowness of movement and tremors (previously claimed as Parkinson’s disease) are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims have resulted in mixed decisions: some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a lack of response from the Veteran regarding his claims for increased ratings. The case is being returned to the RO for further attempts to contact the Veteran and reschedule examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was first diagnosed in service and the VA examiner concluded that it had its onset during this period. Therefore, the claim for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 16, 2013 for the grants of service connection and evaluations for hypertension, right ankle sprain, right rotator cuff tear, and lumbosacral strain. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no evidence showing it existed prior to December 19, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence, including missing service treatment records and incomplete medical history.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be service connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, but requires additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and a higher rating for PTSD were denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that his current mental health symptoms were related to service or that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.