Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim based on additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no higher ratings granted due to the lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting specific criteria.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

VA has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, and/or PTSD, as secondary to military sexual assault (MST). The maximum rating of 100 percent is assigned effective November 30, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not related to active service or any incident of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his military service. The decision also noted that there was no current diagnosis of narcolepsy and thus no opinion could be provided on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and is directly related to his active service, with the preponderance of evidence supporting this finding.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied, as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 4, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset during any period of active duty service and is neither caused nor permanently worsened by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea, is denied.

The Veteran's OSA is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,Hypertension was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis that meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).,Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,ED was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis that meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).,CFS is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service or to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after separation from service, and there are no objective indications of qualifying chronic disability.,Fibromyalgia is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's OSA with bronchitis is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. The criteria for a higher evaluation (100%) are not met as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale requiring a tracheostomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn.,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral temporomandibular dysfunction prior to October 7, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. ,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to October 9, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for memory loss, and that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service for right ear hearing loss or sleep apnea.