Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity, including as due to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and rating for lumbosacral spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability, with the onset during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizoaffective disorder has been granted, effective from December 1, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder, leading to an award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service, including in-service upper respiratory infections.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the conditions were first manifest during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the condition and any in-service events or diseases, including continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's right heel disability, bilateral hearing loss, ulcer/GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are all remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as aggravated by a service-connected disability (tinnitus). The claim for sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating or extraschedular consideration is warranted. The earlier effective date claims were also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right knee disorder, upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and others. The TDIU claim is also being considered as a component of these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's representative contends that his current diagnosed sleep apnea is caused by obesity, resulting from the medications taken for his service-connected asthma. The Board finds this requires an addendum opinion to address whether the medication prescribed for his service-connected asthma contributed in any way to cause or aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the third finger on the left hand are related to an in-service injury and have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have manifested during his active service, warranting service connection.,The Veteran's migraines are found to have manifested within one year of separation from active service, warranting service connection.,Right shoulder tendonitis is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,Right knee strain is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,An acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.

The Board has denied service connection for Lyme disease and its residuals, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and bruxism. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase in rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by or incurred during active duty.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss disability, lower back condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, spleen condition, and thyroid condition due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic limb pain, eye disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, which caused him to gain weight resulting in OSA. As such, service connection for OSA on a secondary basis is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The examiner should consider the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, neck disorder, and back disorder in determining if these conditions are contributing to his sleep disorder.