Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA must be verified, and additional examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of head injury and right shoulder disability are denied, with the latter issue being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding flare-ups of pain.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle and right foot disorders have been reopened, as new evidence has been submitted that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.,Service connection for OSA and ED are granted as they are found to be secondary to service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability on secondary basis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The claims are all granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed as the claims were withdrawn by her in June 2013. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition, left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease, left upper extremity condition, right upper extremity condition, and left leg condition are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) and hypertension due to potential in-service onset or aggravation. The Veteran reported having sleep problems shortly after discharge from service, and his wife testified about gasping and breathing stops during sleep. Service records show a high blood pressure reading in 1970. Further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The initial compensable rating for right maxillary sinusitis remains denied, while service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, asthma, or PTSD.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's OSA may be related to his service-connected conditions of deviated septum residuals, asthma, and GERD.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is denied as not related to his military service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure and PTSD. The TDIU claim prior to September 30, 2010 is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear during the appeal period.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea), CAD, autoimmune insufficiency with orthostatic hypotension and memory problems, and hyperlipidemia is denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder is denied as the Veteran did not step foot in Vietnam or have other qualifying service. The Board found subjective arthralgia but acknowledged the Veteran's competence to report on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety was denied, as the symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM criteria and insufficient stressor support.,Erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea were both remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service-connected adjustment disorder.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (claimed as neuropathy), prostate disability, obstructive sleep apnea, spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right upper extremity disorder, and bilateral lower extremity disorder (other than neuropathy) is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea contributed to his death by causing insomnia, which led him to use marijuana for relief. The marijuana then caused a psychotic disorder that resulted in the Veteran committing suicide.

The Veteran's increased ratings for type 2 diabetes and PTSD are denied. The issues of service connection for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to a lack of certain records. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as any private treatment records or lay statements from the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective May 13, 2015. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.