Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and vascular dementia are rated at 70 percent, hypertension is not compensable, diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicides, erectile dysfunction is secondary to hypertension, cardiomyopathy with CAD and peripheral neuropathy of the legs do not meet criteria for service connection, and obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar sprain, but denied service connection for right hip condition and left hip condition as they are not considered to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right-foot disorder was reopened and granted. However, his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was denied.

The Veteran's fibrocystic breast disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Further development is needed to determine the etiology of bronchitis and ovarian cyst.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review to properly adjudicate his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The right ankle tibiotalar degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent, but no higher due to lack of ankylosis. The noncompensable scar rating remained unchanged.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to in-service symptoms and treatment, including snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence), which were treated with medication. As such, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders are related to his service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The chronic pain disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2016 and increased to 20 percent effective September 26, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and right knee disability are related to her period of active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection, but his thyroid disorder and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is not shown to be etiologically related to active service, nor is it shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not incurred in or caused by active service and was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and other sleep symptoms are part of his PTSD and not a separate disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hip disorders and psychiatric issues. The primary reasons were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right leg disability and reopening of service connection claim are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is service connected due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War. His hypertension and sleep apnea are also service-connected based on presumptive criteria related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by forward flexion to 80 degrees and no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome or separately ratable associated neurological symptoms. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea and PTSD.