Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between his military service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary relationship with his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depression with psychotic features are not service-connected. However, the Veteran is granted basic eligibility for non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the appeal is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to decide the merits of the claim on de novo review. The Board finds that a new opinion from an appropriate clinician, preferably a sleep medicine physician, should be obtained to address whether OSA is related to service, due to PTSD, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been linked to sleep apnea, which is granted. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remain denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed during service and is considered to have had its onset during this period. The Board granted service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself as a result of his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability has been reopened, but the effective date remains August 13, 2014.,An earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied as no evidence prior to August 13, 2014 indicates an intent to pursue this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations on several of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; left knee tendonitis; right knee tendonitis; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain. The appeal regarding unspecified depressive disorder was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The issues of rating left and right hip conditions, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service adverse reaction to a typhoid inoculation is related to his current sleep apnea disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, with the effective date set by the RO.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for his left knee brace was denied because the evidence did not document continued use of the device, including no sign of recent maintenance or replacement.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional VA treatment and compensation records being added to the claims file, which must be considered in the readjudication of the claim for an increased rating for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of sleep apnea and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that the condition had its onset during active service.