Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's initial hip disability (superimposed arthritis) is rated at 10 percent, but an increased rating of 30 percent for limitation of extension is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as it did not begin in service and is not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of medical nexus between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.,The Board denied increased ratings for right shoulder tendinitis and left shoulder tendinitis as there was no evidence showing limitation of motion at 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand tremors, varicose veins, scrotum, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected DJD, right knee. The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if it is related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the Veteran did not have noise exposure during service and his current tinnitus is not related to service.,Service connection for sleep difficulty, to include sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to tinnitus), was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but not higher, from December 17, 2014 to December 2, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The decision is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the relationship between in-service snoring and other breathing problems observed by lay witnesses, including the Veteran's mother and wife. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and its relationship to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine if his current sleep disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for sleep apnea and neck condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder, and bladder infections as secondary to the service-connected bladder cancer residuals.,Further development is needed to address these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also found no direct service connection.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no longer a case or controversy to resolve due to the grant of service connection in an August 2020 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with spasms (claimed as aggravation of scoliosis) is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right hip conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a bilateral leg disorder, including atherosclerosis and/or peripheral neuropathy secondary to DM are remanded.