Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a back disability, service connection for a genitourinary disability, and service connection for residuals of the removal of the right fallopian tube. A new examination is required in each case.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred during his military service and there is no evidence linking it to his time in the armed forces.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as new and material evidence was not received, and the current records do not show that the condition existed during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and right elbow disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran's OSA is also granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bruxism claim remains pending as it lacks a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the lack of STRs and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and residuals, granted service connection for an implanted cardiac pacemaker, but denied service connection for a complete heart block.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for his back brace is granted, as he reported that the brace caused wear and tear to his clothes. The claim for a knee brace is denied because there was no evidence of wear and tear on his clothes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and insomnia is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied.,There is no effective date earlier than July 17, 2014 granted for any of the service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner did not provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on whether OSA was present prior to service or aggravated by service, nor did they address the Veteran's post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability due to new and material evidence. The lung disability (including OSA, GERD, and PTSD) and psychiatric disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction was granted. Service connection is established for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective from April 9, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, vision disability (cataracts), and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is remanded.,A TDIU application has been raised by the record.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for bilateral pes planus was dismissed. His claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.,The Board also remanded the issue of an increased rating for right ankle DJD due to insufficient clinical findings in the VA examination report.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, right shoulder, tinnitus, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headache disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.