Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, including for right knee meniscal tear and degenerative changes, left knee meniscal tear and degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, nervous disorder (presumed secondary to musculoskeletal problems), and sleep apnea (secondary to obesity).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his active service. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted with a 70% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but only partially. Service connection is established for obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety disorder. Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, PTSD, or both.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of bilateral pes planus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as a low back condition) and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection due to chronic lower back pain noted during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been rated at 70 percent since March 26, 2015. Effective May 10, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective March 26, 2015, but no earlier, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's duty status during his October 6, 2012 motor vehicle accident and to determine if he sustained any head injury. The OSA claim will also be reviewed with an examination by a sleep specialist.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues include reopening his diabetes mellitus claim, service connection for diabetic neuropathy, and service connection for sleep apnea with COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder NOS), and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of the evidence showed that the current disabilities were not manifest in service or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and nerve damage to the mouth are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep condition, including UARS, was incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not manifest during his active service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The evidence does not support a finding that the condition was aggravated by military service, nor can it be attributed to pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for speech disability and respiratory disability including sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted as incurred in service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left leg disorder. Additional evidence is needed from SSA and VA records, and an addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran’s left leg disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected vertigo and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea likely existed prior to his active duty service, but given the evidence of record is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during service, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) as the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.