Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to satisfaction with the current rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated her sleep apnea. The case is being returned for further development and an updated opinion.

The claim for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, is denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and DDD have been dismissed. The appeal for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied, while tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinus disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability effective December 9, 2013. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis was granted at 20 percent effective August 24, 2015. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity received a separate initial rating of 20 percent effective August 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's OSA as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the OSA was aggravated by the PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, IBS, and other conditions, are rated at a combined score of 90 percent. The VA has determined that these disabilities render the Veteran unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and potential exposure to hazardous chemical agents during service. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed for direct service connection, secondary to PTSD, and in relation to potential Gulf War exposures.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroid disorder, cardiac disability, arrhythmia, basal cell carcinoma, and sleep apnea have all been granted. The lumbar spine disability claim has not been resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and neurological disabilities in his upper and lower extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded to determine if erectile dysfunction is related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

Lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10% prior to October 6, 2015 and increased to 20% thereafter. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to October 1, 2015, the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a back disability. The claims are now pending again with new evidence required.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis without myelopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, but the Board found that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine meeting the requirements for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his sternal scar was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for his CAD status post triple heart bypass, myocardial infarction and stent was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 1999. The appeal for an increased rating is dismissed as the Veteran has requested to withdraw his pending appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted.,The reopened claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted.