Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral knee disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, depressive disorder with anxious distress features, OSA, and lower back condition has been granted. The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2009. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy require additional examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted as service-connected, while sleep apnea, valvular heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and hypertension were denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is established based on noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. Service connection for valvular heart disease was not established due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder has been denied. Other issues related to his service-connected conditions or disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right wrist pain, lumbosacral strain, colds, upper respiratory infections (claimed as sinus disorder), and bunions with hallux valgus deformity, partially compensated flat feet. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for seizure disorder and blackouts/convulsions have been reopened.,Service connection was also granted for chronic sinusitis and lung cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder other than PTSD, depressive disorder, and a psychiatric sleep disorder is granted.,Service connection is also granted for the lumbar spine disorder. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current lumbar spine disorder is related to the Veteran's in-service low back pain.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and C, low back disability, sleep apnea, and hematuria have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show it had its onset during or was otherwise related to active service, including any exposure to hazardous environmental conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused by or aggravated by his PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current sleep apnea is unrelated to service.,The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was not caused by or aggravated by VA treatment on January 25, 2010 and April 7, 2010. The VA physician stated there was no evidence of failure to diagnose or treat the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD and sleep apnea are currently rated at 50 percent, but a new examination is needed to determine if the condition warrants an increase in rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and acid reflux. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss due to Gulf War hazards as an undiagnosed illness, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's October 2016 substantive appeal of his May 2015 denial of service connection for ED. The issues of service connection for alopecia of the lower extremities, TMJ disability as secondary to depression, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to depression and/or sinusitis with chronic rhinitis and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a lower back condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding other issues including increased rating for migraine headaches and left ear hearing loss.