Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected atrial fibrillation, needs further development. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in, was aggravated by, or is otherwise etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of their onset during service or relationship to a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's combined rating did not meet the criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the requisite rating criteria for TDIU prior to June 4, 2013. The matter of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 3, 2014 is referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome (also claimed as irritable colon syndrome), gastritis, and Barrett's esophagus with GERD. The appeals for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertensive vascular disease, hypertension, and bruxism were dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's symptoms of loud snoring and gasping for air during active duty have led the Board to find that his current condition is at least in equipoise with his service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obesity, back disorders (including herniated disc at T11-T12), right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and stomach disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under VA laws and regulations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was first filed on November 14, 2011. The effective date of the award is set at November 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD), left foot disability, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection cannot be granted because the Veteran has not provided any specific allegations regarding these disabilities. There are also no complaints, treatment records, or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not manifest in service and is unrelated to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to in-service injury, requiring additional medical opinions and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his OSA did not manifest during service and was not related to his asthma or any other in-service condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's VA examination for his lumbosacral strain disability was cancelled due to non-response. The case is being remanded to schedule a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service and post-service symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were granted service connection effective August 26, 2008. The Veteran's claims for new and material evidence for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea due to Gulf War exposure, erectile dysfunction secondary to hernia and medications for sickle cell trait, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine due to inadequate examination findings and requests for clarification.