Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for GERD, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, PTSD and major depressive disorder.,Service connection is denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for OSA due to incomplete medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and a substance-related disorder), and sleep apnea as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Prior to April 23, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating. From April 23, 2015 onwards, a 10 percent disability rating was granted.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to May 31, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is presumed via PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's asbestosis with calcified plaques is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his pre-bronchodilator FVC results were not supportive of a higher rating and did not indicate cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin conditions and his service, including exposure to herbicide agents and sun exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, due to limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative requested additional medical opinions addressing whether his service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) caused or aggravated these conditions, as well as whether obesity acted as an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and these disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder is granted.,Service connection claims for other knee, back, nerve, and skin conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and fatigue, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of numbness and tingling of the left upper extremity or radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities that could be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further development, including clarification of the weight-bearing status of the VA examination results.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for deciding the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his sleep apnea and musculoskeletal pain. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected conditions and the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions had their onset during the Veteran's military service.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection and other claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his alleged herbicide exposure in Thailand.