Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the condition originated during active service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, eczema, cervical disability, back disability, PFB, and psychiatric disability associated with PFB are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for an increased rating during the appeal period from June 1, 2012 to October 13, 2021.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.,OSA had its onset during service and the Veteran's OSA is related to service.,Right ankle disorder has moderate limitation of motion with pain, warranting a 10% rating.,Right knee osteoarthritis with tendonitis and limited extension does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to no more than moderate flexion limitation.,Right knee osteoarthritis with tendonitis and painful motion also does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to no more than moderate flexion limitation.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure proper adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate and the opinions provided are internally inconsistent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or its medications aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his current obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbago, mid back pain and a low back disability is granted. The Board finds that the current low back disability arose in or is related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for sleepless nights was granted. The petitions to reopen claims for other conditions were dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for chronic sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis, fatty liver, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, kidney disease, right shoulder joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, right hip pain, and left hip pain. The appeal for arthralgias, multiple sites was remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The appeals for sleep apnea and urticaria were also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate opinion regarding his sleep apnea and its relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims for sinusitis, hypertension, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has aggravated his mixed and central sleep apnea, allowing for the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, glaucoma, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service or any recognized exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address functional impairment during flare-ups and repeated use of lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for migraine headaches is granted. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal condition, respiratory disability, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not manifest during active service or until many years after service, and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied.