Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including multiple body traumas, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, emphysema, chronic pansinusitis, low back disorder, cardio-pulmonary disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and osteoarthritis of the knees, right forearm, and right hand. The appeal was decided on the merits without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected major depression. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted a 30% rating since September 5, 2012.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea, left knee disability, urinary dysfunction disability, right hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction with limitation of adduction, extension, and flexion, as well as left hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction with limitation of abduction, extension, and flexion are not related to his service or due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship with his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an opinion on whether dysthymia aggravates sleep apnea. The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim before February 18, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the case for another VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability was initially manifest during his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal and, therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability requires the use of a back brace. The Board found that the brace does not have exposed rigid panels and therefore does not qualify for a clothing allowance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, right knee, left knee, and low back disorders as secondary to his service-connected left plantar calcaneal spur. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it related to the Veteran's military service. The PTSD claim was denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for acid reflux and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his right ear, but he has left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. However, as this condition is not shown within one year following discharge from service, it cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. Tinnitus was also not shown during service or within the first post-service year and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for an anaphylactic bee sting allergy and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the December 2015 medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection.