Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the low back and neck disabilities remain in dispute due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or caused by service and was not caused or aggravated by a service connected disease or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including thyroid disability, throat disability, hair loss, muscle weakness, defective vision (related to TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bell's palsy, gall bladder dysfunction, recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not establish direct service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective August 10, 2017. The left ankle sprain and GERD were each granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 22, 2007. For special monthly compensation based upon aid and attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria as he can feed himself and prepare his own meals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, headaches, and sleep apnea. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service department records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased evaluation of PTSD. The Veteran's OSA was not shown to have started in service, nor is there evidence linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, is needed before the claim can be decided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis.,Service connection was denied for a right knee disability due to lack of in-service injury or chronic treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and SSA disability records. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the record during a Board hearing as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a breathing disability and tooth loss, both to include as secondary to a throat disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with cognitive impairment had its onset during active service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea was addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches can be decided.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be causally related to his military service, and the Board found that the current disability is due to a significant weight gain since service. Therefore, service connection for OSA was denied.