Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which includes lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and arthritis, is rated at 40 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his obesity is aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for left shoulder, right shoulder, and chronic lumbosacral strain disabilities as there is no case or controversy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea were not incurred in or related to his active service.,The Veteran does not have a dental condition for which compensation is payable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering recent medical journal articles and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee replacements, right shoulder arthritis, and radiculopathy of all four extremities) contributed to his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The cases of kidney stones, skin cancer (melanoma), and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and depressive disorder NOS are found to be etiologically related to his hypertension, but not to his OSA.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot DJD and left foot DJD, but remanded for further clarification on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The effective date of service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected idiopathic central nervous system hypersomnia and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted effective from January 27, 2014. He is now rated at 60% for his hypersomnia and 50% for his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim was also granted effective from the same date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for HTN is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain syndrome with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine is granted from April 27, 2015 to January 7, 2016.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected back disability is denied prior to April 27, 2015 and from January 8, 2016 onwards.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder due to a lack of evidence showing that the OSA is proximately caused by or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and information about the qualifications of the examiners who evaluated him.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital tendonitis and subacromial bursitis is rated at 20 percent effective July 7, 2004 until prior to April 13, 2010 and then effective November 1, 2010.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with herniation at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels with cervical myositis is rated at 20 percent since July 7, 2004. The claim for increased rating remains on appeal.,The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with bulging disc at L1-L2 level with lumbar myositis has not been service connected.