Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea were granted service connection based on new evidence received after the September 9, 2014 rating decision.,An effective date of July 31, 2013 was granted for the right shoulder disability. Effective dates for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as they predate April 2, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder. The claims for lumbar spine disability, hypertension, left knee disability, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or a link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for vertigo was dismissed.,Right knee impairment, left knee impairment, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea were all granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's earnings history.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his heart disability, sleep apnea, left foot and right foot disabilities. The issues have been remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD and remands for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis, claimed as a respiratory disorder, is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2020, were denied. The Board found that a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, and a rating higher than 10 percent is not warranted for his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and a headache disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with panic disorder and minor neurocognitive disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is now entitled to a determination on these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to perform basic self-care functions or be in need of regular aid and assistance from others. The Board also found no evidence of housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity condition and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of lumbar spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with spondylolysis was denied, and the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current disability is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The PTSD increased rating and TDIU claims are remanded due to incomplete examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, compensable ratings for Right Ring Finger Surgical Scar and Right Finger Disability, and a rating greater than 10 percent for Back Disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sleep disorder had its onset during or is related to his active service.