Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or aggravated his current sleep apnea, heart disability, venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for arthritis of the left knee due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected headaches. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to headaches is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 23, 2016, for lumbosacral spine (low back disability) degenerative joint disease was granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as well as the issue of service connection for vertigo were remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sleep apnea and has also remanded the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior RO decision denying entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic vasomotor rhinitis was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to an undiagnosed illness and as secondary to service-connected disability.

The claims for service connection and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues regarding secondary service connection, tarsal tunnel release, and sleep disability require further development.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is remanded for a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected condition contributed to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure while on board USS SOUTHERLAND and reviewing VA examination opinions. The AOJ will obtain a fact-based assessment of whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, had its initial onset during his second period of active service and is related to that service. The heart disease claim will be remanded for additional development as it involves a complex medical issue. Sleep apnea claims are also remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome was not manifested during service and is not shown to be related to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, lack of endurance, incoordination, instability, or abnormal weight bearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the ranges of motion and additional functional impairment of his low back disability during a flare-up.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and rhinitis, as they are less likely than not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted service connection. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as not incurred in service and is not secondary to PTSD. Service connection for memory loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Acquired Psychiatric Disability (Unspecified Depressive Disorder) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and an initial compensable rating for rhinitis due to potential new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of dysthymic disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of his appeal.