Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the tip of the nasal bone, and thus granted as secondary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, when considered with associated radiculopathy, warranted a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there is no competent or credible evidence linking the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea to his military service, specifically his in-service nose fractures. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, specifically gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As such, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. Sleep apnea was first diagnosed during active duty, and the Veteran reported symptoms such as snoring and trouble sleeping in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches, right ankle sprain and DJD, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and DJD, lumbar strain with thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD) and spondylosis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and increased rating for right wrist ganglion cyst. The appeal is remanded to the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sexual dysfunction, lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of record indicating an earlier effective date prior to September 13, 2010.

The Veteran's eczema with rosacea is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's type II DM, OSA, and ED are not found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had its onset during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and failure to ensure substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's hypertension, inguinal hernia, bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea claims are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left shoulder disability (other than cervical radiculopathy), and back disability (other than cervical spine) were not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities have been reopened, but new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection has not been established for hearing loss or tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the absence of proper notice for a requested hearing, and he would like to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his symptoms are related to service.,Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. The Board found that the Veteran's in-service stressors were sufficient to cause such symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition was denied due to lack of evidence in service records and no new material evidence submitted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is not granted as it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by PTSD.