Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for separate disability ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, finding that they are rated under a single 50 percent disability rating assigned pursuant to Diagnostic Code 6847. The Board also found that the Veteran's asthma is the predominant respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need to obtain private medical records and employment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing and the need to ascertain his current address.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and wrist disorders, lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, and somnambulism. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic or compensable disabilities during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and shoulder disabilities are all found to be related to his active service. The right ear hearing loss is determined to have been aggravated by service, while the left ear hearing loss is presumed to have been caused by service. Tinnitus is also found to be related to service. For the shoulders, it is established that they were caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service event or injury. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis, weight gain due to his service-connected disabilities, and medications taken for these conditions are at least as likely as not the cause of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA is granted as it is less likely than not (less than 50% probability) proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic hyperkeratosis of the left buccal mucosa has been manifested by mild thickening and slight abrasion, occasional bleeding and irritation from certain foods, no disfigurement, and no more than slight impairment of masticatory function. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a low back disability, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right hip disability to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is found to have developed during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, scheduling a sleep apnea examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, a left arm scar, obstructive sleep apnea, and blurred vision are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and respiratory conditions due to inadequate examinations. The low back disorder claim is also being remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's conditions, including diabetes and its related complications, are not service connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection based on lack of evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The Veteran's hypertension was first manifest during active duty and the Board has determined that it had causal origins in service. The low back disability, sleep apnea, and lower respiratory disability are not currently decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for sleep apnea or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), claimed as acid reflux, due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) from the parties. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is being reviewed again.