Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition did not begin during her military service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by any in-service exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by an event, injury, or disease in active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and lumbosacral spine disability, finding no current disability due to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $12,437.00 due to fault on the part of VA and undue financial hardship.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea. The initial disability rating for lumbar strain was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 25, 2014 and granted at 10 percent thereafter. A compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face was also denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depression received an initial disability rating of 50 percent but no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show that his sleep issues began in service or were related to his military service.,For the right finger disability, a compensable rating prior to February 9, 2017 and a higher than 10 percent rating from February 9, 2017 onward was denied as there was no evidence of additional limitation of motion after repetitive use testing or significant functional impairment.,The Veteran's headaches were found to have characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last two months, qualifying for a 10 percent rating effective February 9, 2017.

The Veteran's eye disorder results in bilateral concentric contraction of visual fields with remaining fields of 28 and 30 degrees, without evidence of incapacitating episodes or visual acuity worse than 20/40. A 50 percent rating for the service-connected eye disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The left inguinal hernia claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD warranted a TDIU rating, and his other service-connected disabilities combined to more than 60 percent. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the December 2010 rating decision that failed to award SMC at the (s) rate due to CUE.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing records, need for new examinations, and the need for VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral-knee disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and sleep apnea are remanded as there is insufficient current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, circulatory disability, sleep disability (including sleep apnea and sleep deprivation), hypertensive vascular disease, and respiratory disability due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and is therefore granted as direct service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and/or GERD may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea, but an addendum opinion is needed to determine if it caused or aggravated the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his active service and is related to it, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected lung disability and remands the case for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain and determined that she may have a current disability related to in-service injuries. The Board found reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current condition is due to service, but decided in favor of the Veteran.