Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome have been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective from December 19, 2021. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability prior to October 10, 2017 remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the current diagnosis is not related to active service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to his military service. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar strain, knee pain syndromes, breathing condition, sleep apnea, and PTSD due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and COPD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right great toe cold injuries, left knee strain, right knee tendonitis, and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their onset during service or causation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of recurrent sleep disability, psychiatric disability, scrotal disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with left scolio, left knee strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his hypertension and sleep apnea, as well as whether he meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent since September 23, 2016. The Board has found that the current severity of his condition does not warrant a higher rating as it only allows for flexion up to 30 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea. The claim for an undiagnosed illness is remanded.,Service connection for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea is established.

The Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100% as of July 2009, meeting the criteria for a TDIU effective from that date. The Board also granted SMC based on his service-connected disabilities starting January 24, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that there is no evidence indicating an inservice onset or cause of OSA, and that his disability was likely due to other factors such as childhood ADHD, heavy alcohol use, and obesity. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for designation as a 'Persian Gulf veteran' and therefore could not be granted service connection based on a MUCMI.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his military service, aggravated by his service-connected right wrist disability, or caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's varicose veins with stasis dermatitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension severely limit his ability to work due to leg pain and fatigue after only short periods of standing or sitting. The Board grants a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea syndrome are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is warranted based on evidence of relevant complaints during service and a formal diagnosis after retirement.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of liposarcoma cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand, finding the evidence in equipoise and granting the presumption.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his disabilities.